chili

noun

ˈchi-lē How to pronounce chili (audio)
variants or less commonly chile or chiefly British chilli
plural chilies also chiles or chilis or chiefly British chillies
1
a
or chili pepper : a hot pepper of any of a group of cultivars (Capsicum annuum annuum group longum) noted for their pungency
b
chiefly British chilli : a pepper whether hot or sweet
2
a
: a thick sauce of meat and chilies
liked to cover her spaghetti with red chili
b
: chili con carne
a bowl of chili
also : a similar dish made without beef
vegetarian chili
seafood chili

Examples of chili in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Owner Bonnie Amspacher is the fourth generation of a Norman family famous for its chili and great down-home Tex-Mex cooking. — Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 20 Aug. 2026 For lunch, dig into bison chili or smoked brisket nachos at Jacobs Brewhouse and Grocer, and scope out their pastry case for fresh peach cake too. — Jacqueline Kehoe, Midwest Living, 19 Aug. 2026 Salsa morita is a hotter version of chipotle sauce made with morita chili peppers, a distinctive small jalapeño. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2026 Orecchiette con cime di rapa- turnip greens, garlic, anchovies, chili and olive oil is the must try local signature dish. — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chili

Word History

Etymology

Spanish chile, from Nahuatl chīlli

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of chili was in 1604

Phrases Containing chili

Rhymes for chili

See All Rhymes for chili

Browse Nearby Words

Chile saltpeter
chili
Chili
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chili.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chili. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

chili

noun
variants also chile or chilli
ˈchil-ē
plural chilies also chiles or chilis or chillies
1
: hot pepper sense 1
2
: chili con carne

Geographical Definition

Chili

geographical name

ˈchi-lē How to pronounce Chili (audio)
—former, especially British name for Chile or for the once poorly defined Andes border region between Chile and Argentina

More from Merriam-Webster on chili

Nglish: Translation of chili for Spanish Speakers

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