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

Spring 2025 in New York City is off to a wet, gray and chilly start. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025

Related Articles Hathaway capitalized on the chilly, wintery weather and snow with a look best described as gravitating toward the après-ski trend. —Julia Teti, WWD, 17 Mar. 2025

While colder temperatures are technically better for sleeping, according to experts, winter in New York City has been chillier than usual this winter. —Christine Yu, Outside Online, 17 Mar. 2025

But nights will remain chilly for March, with lows in the 50s inland and possibly reaching 60 on the coast. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for chilly

• billie
• billy
• chilli
• dilly
• filly
• frilly
• gillie
• gilly
• hilly
• lily
• philly
• really

Kids Definition

chilly

adjective

ˈchil-ē 

chillier; chilliest

1

: noticeably cold

2

: unpleasantly affected by cold

3

: not friendly

a chilly response

chilliness noun