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 adverb
chilliness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While the rail cars can get pretty chilly, the train station is usually sweltering—that’s where this Spanx set comes in. Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 25 June 2025 Outside, there’s a covered limestone dining terrace with overhead heat lamps for taking the nip off chilly nights and a lounge area for watching TV. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 June 2025 Netanyahu's public and private relationships with recent American presidents have been marked by chilly tensions and insults. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 22 June 2025 For potted geraniums, consider bringing them indoors if an unseasonable chilly night is forecasted. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for chilly

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chilly was in 1570

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chilly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chilly. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

chilly

adjective
chillier; chilliest
1
: noticeably cold
2
: unpleasantly affected by cold
3
: not friendly
a chilly response
chilliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on chilly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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