chilly
/'tʃili/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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
- lacking warmth of feeling
- a chilly greeting
- appreciably or disagreeably cold
- not characterized by emotion
- a female form in marble--a chilly but ideal medium for depicting abstract virtues-C.W.Cunningham
Noun
- very hot and finely tapering pepper of special pungency