chilly

[ chil-ee ]

adjective

, chill·i·er, chill·i·est.

1. mildly cold or producing a sensation of cold; causing shivering; chill:

   a chilly breeze.

2. feeling cold; sensitive to cold:

   Her hands were chilly.

3. without warmth of feeling; cool:

   a chilly reply.

4. producing or likely to produce a feeling of fear; frightening:

   He told a chilly story of ghosts and murder.

adverb

1. Also chill·i·ly []. in a mildly cold manner:

   The wind blew chilly.

chilly

/ ˈtʃɪlɪ /

adjective

1. causing or feeling cool or moderately cold
2. without warmth; unfriendly
3. (of people) sensitive to cold

Derived Forms

• ˈchilliness, noun

Other Words From

• chill·i·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chilly¹

First recorded in 1560–70; chill + -y ¹

Synonym Study

See cold.

Example Sentences

Concerts in the chilly outdoor amphitheater meant bundling up.

From Los Angeles Times

Around 5 p.m., as the light disappeared and the air grew chilly, Jovita Bautista, 50, stayed at her post at the check-in desk outside KIWA, where she had been stationed since 8 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times

We'll feel the first taste of winter weather over the coming days as chilly Arctic air spreads across the United Kingdom.

From BBC

Outside, beavers gnaw at the vegetation around the chilly waters.

From Los Angeles Times

Contrails form in the sky in the same way that your breath goes misty on a chilly morning.

From BBC

Related Words

• breezy
• brisk
• cool
• crisp
• freezing
• frosty
• icy
• wintry