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

Sweet potatoes are sensitive to the cold and can become bitter and mushy if exposed to hard frost or chilly soil temperatures. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2024

Free Assembly Cropped Utility Jacket A good midweight jacket is a must-have fall staple to wear during chilly mornings and evenings, and this cropped style is perfect. —Kaylyn McKenna, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2024

But even under the midnight sun, Longyearbyen in the summer can be a windy, chilly place. —David Nikel, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

The hope was that a drop in mortgage rates would bring some heat to our chilly housing scene. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

chilly

adjective

ˈchil-ē 

chillier; chilliest

1

: noticeably cold

2

: unpleasantly affected by cold

3

: not friendly

a chilly response

chilliness noun