chillier; chilliest
1
: noticeably cold : chilling
a chilly day
2
: unpleasantly affected by cold
chilly spectators
3
: lacking warmth of feeling : unfriendly
a chilly reception
4
: tending to arouse fear or apprehension
chilly suspicions
chillily adverb
chilliness noun

Examples of chilly in a Sentence

It's a little chilly outside. You must be chilly without a coat on. They gave him a chilly reception.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On a damp and chilly day in mid-November, Ryan Hall pokes his nose into Sanders’ office to say hello. Maurice Tamman, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024 Starring a chilly Angelina Jolie as Callas, the film insists on depicting the larger-than-life singer as a sad, hollow woman facing a tawdry death. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024 This portable sound machine has a real fan inside to coax you to sleep with the sounds of moving air, without having to turn on your chilly air conditioner. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 20 Dec. 2024 In Zone 7a, the thermometer can dip as low as 0°F on the coldest day in winter, while Zone 8b can get as chilly as 15°F. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chilly 

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chilly was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near chilly

Cite this Entry

“Chilly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chilly. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

chilly

adjective
chillier; chilliest
1
: noticeably cold
2
: unpleasantly affected by cold
3
: not friendly
a chilly response
chilliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on chilly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!