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

Most of the spice came from a chili oil that was added to the broth. —Reia Li, The Arizona Republic, 31 Dec. 2024

The hearty beef broth is prepared with plenty of lemongrass and then seasoned with shrimp paste, sugar, and chili oil. —Christina Liao, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2024

The family also sells a homemade chili oil with hopes to eventually market. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Some retort pouch foods include tuna fish, chicken breast, chili, and ham. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 18 Dec. 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 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