chilly

adjective

ˈchi-lē 

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

ˈchi-lə-lē 

adverb

chilliness

ˈchi-lē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• bitter
• bleak
• chill
• chilling
• nipping
• nippy
• raw
• sharp

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

Plus, the buttons could be secured or unfastened for chilly or humid days, accordingly. —Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 2 June 2024

Welcome to June, the official start of summer, no matter what SoCal’s chilly, gloomy skies have been telling us these past few weeks. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024

The chilly Baltic Sea may not seem like the most obvious place to skinny dip. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 29 May 2024

Specials include butter chicken, chicken chilly fry, goat curry, a methi malai platter and more. —Alexandra Maloney, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

chilly

adjective

ˈchil-ē 

chillier; chilliest

1

: noticeably cold

2

: unpleasantly affected by cold

3

: not friendly

a chilly response

chilliness noun