chili

noun

ˈchi-lē 

variants or less commonly chile or chiefly British chilli

plural chilies also chiles or chilis or chiefly British chillies

1

a

or chili pepper : a hot pepper of any of a group of cultivars (Capsicum annuum annuum group longum) noted for their pungency

b

chiefly British chilli : a pepper whether hot or sweet

2

a

: a thick sauce of meat and chilies

liked to cover her spaghetti with red chili

b

: chili con carne

a bowl of chili

also : a similar dish made without beef

vegetarian chili

seafood chili

Examples of chili in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The tangy sumac and fiery chili create a bold, punchy sip that keeps you coming back for more. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Oh yeah, had a very memorable green chili cheeseburger in the vicinity of Truth or Consequences New Mexico and whale blubber in Alaska. —Opheli Garcia Lawlor, Travel + Leisure, 10 Dec. 2024

The most consistent category, beyond the chili crisps, is a growing collection of toum. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

Allen had been in the clubhouse eating a chili dog, put on a new jersey after spilling some chili on his shirt and then went out and delivered the clutch home run. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish chile, from Nahuatl chīlli

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing chili

• chili con carne
• chili con queso
• chili dog
• chili powder
• chili sauce
• ghost chili

Kids Definition

chili

noun

variants also chile or chilli

ˈchil-ē

plural chilies also chiles or chilis or chillies

1

: hot pepper sense 1

2

: chili con carne

Geographical Definition

Chili

geographical name

ˈchi-lē 

—former, especially British name for Chile or for the once poorly defined Andes border region between Chile and Argentina