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 Singapore-style chili crab is properly spicy, and the bird larb is even more so.
—
Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Capsaicin: The spicy ingredient in chili peppers, capsaicin, when used in topical creams, may help reduce pain by blocking nerve signals and decreasing swelling from psoriasis.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 5 June 2025
One study of over 6,000 people found that people who ate more chili peppers had higher body mass indexes (BMIs) and a greater risk of obesity.7 More research is needed to understand this relationship.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 June 2025
There will also be food competitions such as the chili cook-off, where for $25, visitors can sample and vote for their favorite.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for chili
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Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Capsaicin: The spicy ingredient in chili peppers, capsaicin, when used in topical creams, may help reduce pain by blocking nerve signals and decreasing swelling from psoriasis.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 5 June 2025
One study of over 6,000 people found that people who ate more chili peppers had higher body mass indexes (BMIs) and a greater risk of obesity.7 More research is needed to understand this relationship.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 June 2025
There will also be food competitions such as the chili cook-off, where for $25, visitors can sample and vote for their favorite.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for chili
Cite this Entry
“Chili.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chili. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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