chilly

[ chil-ee ]

adjective

, chill·i·er, chill·i·est.

1. mildly cold or producing a sensation of cold; causing shivering; chill:

   a chilly breeze.

2. feeling cold; sensitive to cold:

   Her hands were chilly.

3. without warmth of feeling; cool:

   a chilly reply.

4. producing or likely to produce a feeling of fear; frightening:

   He told a chilly story of ghosts and murder.

adverb

1. Also chill·i·ly []. in a mildly cold manner:

   The wind blew chilly.

chilly

/ ˈtʃɪlɪ /

adjective

1. causing or feeling cool or moderately cold
2. without warmth; unfriendly
3. (of people) sensitive to cold

Derived Forms

• ˈchilliness, noun

Other Words From

• chill·i·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chilly¹

First recorded in 1560–70; chill + -y ¹

Synonym Study

See cold.

Example Sentences

The deadliest wave of the pandemic began in September, during a period of unusually chilly, wet weather.

From Popular-Science

This year’s warm, fairly dry summer pushed ripening and harvest dates 10 days earlier than a decade ago for producers in the usually chilly Mosel region.

From Fortune

It may not be underwater, but Google’s big data center in Hamina, Finland, also uses chilly seawater to cool down, and is also being powered by wind energy.

From Fortune

As the weather begins to cool off and outdoor dining in chillier parts of the country loses its appeal, the situation will only become more dire, and the need for government action more urgent.

From Eater

They’re excellent for the shoulder months and post-work hikes that turn into chilly after-dark missions.

From Outside Online

I gingerly walked down the center staircase and out into what was a chilly, sunny October morning.

From The Daily Beast

By Alex Orlov for Life by DailyBurn Do dark, chilly days make your mood cloud over this time each year?

From The Daily Beast

She speaks with chilly precision, “in the tone that a bored but tolerant adult might use.”

From The Daily Beast

In the past, her character has tended toward the two-dimensional: the chilly villainess.

From The Daily Beast

We were herded into a chilly waiting room waiting for the Britannia to be refueled.

From The Daily Beast

He was at first rather chilly and I soon found out it was on account of my having gone round his lines during his absence.

From Project Gutenberg

But spring evenings in Switzerland are chilly; Capt suggested their return to the hotel.

From Project Gutenberg

But there was something about the chilly expression in her eyes that made Delancy feel decidedly uncomfortable.

From Project Gutenberg

For instance, Lem Jones stopped and hitched his team before the store, one chilly day.

From Project Gutenberg

The people of the Continent consider Britain a chilly, unattractive land.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• breezy
• brisk
• cool
• crisp
• freezing
• frosty
• icy
• wintry