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

Aside from outdoor activities, it's known for a three-day annual chili fest sanctioned by the International Chili Society. —Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 14 Aug. 2024

Last year, a teen died in Massachusetts after attempting to eat a tortilla chip packed with chili pepper extract for a social media challenge. —Alexandra Byrne, NBC News, 13 Aug. 2024

Souvenir cups Main concourse and bars Onsite Garden A new onsite culinary garden on the West Loge Club balcony will produce lavender, thyme, rosemary, Genovese basil, Thai chili peppers and Italian parsley to be incorporated into dishes and drink offerings throughout the stadium. —Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Aug. 2024

When ready, it's topped with ketchup, mustard, sweet chili Thai sauce and Sriracha. —Justin L. MacK, Axios, 12 Aug. 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 pepper
• 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