Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Appreciably or disagreeably cold: Describes a temperature that is unpleasantly cold, often causing discomfort.
   • Lacking warmth of feeling; unfriendly: Describes a manner, atmosphere, or reception that is emotionally cold, distant, or unwelcoming.

2. Noun:

   • (Non-standard/Archaic) A chili pepper: A very hot and finely tapering pepper. Note: This usage is rare and often considered a variant spelling of "chili." The primary modern use is as an adjective.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective (Temperature):

  • It's a chilly morning, so wear a coat.
  • The water felt chilly against my skin.

• Adjective (Emotional Tone):

  • She gave him a chilly stare.
  • The meeting ended in a chilly atmosphere.

Advanced Usage

• "to feel chilly": to feel a sensation of coldness.
  • I feel chilly; I think I'm getting a fever.
• "to give a chilly reception": to welcome someone in an unfriendly or unenthusiastic way.
  • The proposal was given a chilly reception by the committee.

Variants and Related Words

• Chill (n/v): A cold feeling; to make cold or to relax. (e.g., / )
• Chilliness (n): The state or quality of being chilly, either in temperature or demeanor.
• Chili/Chilli (n): The standard modern spelling for the hot pepper.

Synonyms

• Cold: Of low temperature. (More general; can be neutral, while "chilly" often implies discomfort).
• Frigid: Very cold in temperature; or very cold and unfriendly in manner (stronger than "chilly").
• Unfriendly: Not friendly. (Specific to the emotional sense).

Antonyms

• Warm: Having or giving out a moderate degree of heat; or friendly and affectionate.
• Balmy: Pleasantly warm.
• Cordial: Warm and friendly.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "to be left out in the cold": To be ignored or excluded. (Shares the metaphorical sense of emotional coldness).
  • After the merger, many employees felt they were left out in the cold.
• "a chilly relationship": A relationship characterized by distance and lack of warmth.
  • There has been a chilly relationship between the two departments for years.

Adjective

1. lacking warmth of feeling
   • a chilly greeting
2. appreciably or disagreeably cold
3. not characterized by emotion
   • a female form in marble--a chilly but ideal medium for depicting abstract virtues-C.W.Cunningham

Noun

1. very hot and finely tapering pepper of special pungency