Definition

1. Noun:
   • A lack of affection or enthusiasm: A state or quality of being emotionally distant, unfriendly, or unenthusiastic.
   • A distressing coldness of tone and manner: An unpleasant, unfriendly quality in someone's behavior or communication.
   • The property of being moderately cold: A low but not extreme temperature; a noticeable and often unpleasant coolness.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The chilliness of her greeting made me feel unwelcome. (Her unfriendly manner of greeting made me feel unwelcome.)
  • We felt a distinct chilliness in the air as the sun went down. (We felt a noticeable coolness in the air as the sun went down.)
  • His response was marked by a certain chilliness. (His response was characterized by a lack of warmth.)

Advanced Usage

• "A chilliness crept into their relationship": A figurative use describing how warmth and affection gradually disappeared from their relationship, replaced by emotional distance.
  • After the argument, a chilliness crept into their relationship.
• "The political chilliness between the two nations": Used to describe a state of formal, unfriendly relations between countries.
  • The political chilliness between the two nations lasted for decades.

Variants and Related Words

• Chilly (adj): Moderately cold; unfriendly in manner.
  • It's a chilly evening. (The weather is cool.)
  • She gave him a chilly look. (She gave him an unfriendly look.)
• Chill (n/v): A feeling of coldness; to make something cold; to relax. (Note: This is a related but distinct word.)
  • There's a chill in the air. (There's a cold feeling in the air.)

Synonyms

• Coldness: Lack of warmth, either in temperature or emotion.
• Frigidity: Extreme coldness; formality or lack of emotional warmth.
• Aloofness: Emotional distance and lack of involvement.
• Coolness: A moderate degree of cold; calm and controlled behavior which can seem unfriendly.

Related Phrases

• A chill in the air: An idiom referring to a noticeable coolness in the weather or a tense, unfriendly atmosphere in a situation.
  • There was a definite chill in the air after the CEO's announcement. (There was a tense, unfriendly atmosphere after the announcement.)

Noun

1. a lack of affection or enthusiasm
   • a distressing coldness of tone and manner
2. the property of being moderately cold
   • the chilliness of early morning