chilly

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Uncomfortably cool, often in a way that makes you want to put on more clothes.

   Grammar: Gradable: chillier, chilliest. Used for weather, rooms, or the feeling on your skin.

   Patterns

   • it is chilly
   • feel chilly
   • a chilly morning

   It was chilly this morning, so I wore a thick sweater.

   The office gets chilly in the afternoon when the sun goes down.

   Her hands felt chilly after walking in the wind.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Unfriendly or distant in manner, making other people feel unwelcome.

   Grammar: Describes behavior or atmosphere: a chilly reply, a chilly reception. Not used for physical temperature here.

   Patterns

   • a chilly reception
   • a chilly atmosphere
   • be chilly toward someone

   He gave me a chilly look when I mentioned the mistake.

   The meeting had a chilly atmosphere after the argument.

   She was polite but chilly toward the new neighbors.

Word forms

Common combinations

chilly morning

A chilly morning made the walk to school brisk.

feel chilly

I feel chilly even with the heater on.

chilly reception

The proposal got a chilly reception from the committee.

chilly wind

A chilly wind blew through the open window.

turn chilly

The evening turned chilly once the sun set.

Synonyms and how they differ

cold

Stronger than 'chilly'; 'cold' can be uncomfortable or even painful, while 'chilly' is mild.

cool

Often pleasant or neutral, whereas 'chilly' suggests you feel a bit uncomfortable.

frosty

Used for very cold weather or a very unfriendly manner; it is stronger than 'chilly'.

Opposites

Word family

chill noun

A cold feeling or a mild illness; also a verb meaning to make cold.

chilliness noun

The state of being chilly, either in temperature or manner.

Commonly confused: chilly or chili? chilly or chilli?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “chilly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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