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.
The scent also has spicy notes of chili pepper, berries and saffron, grounded by a woody patchouli base. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026 In the center of the room, a few feet from the spiral staircase covered in chili pepper string lights, a dozen people simmered in the navel-high spa waters of a cylindrical tub. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026 The bakery marinates chicken thighs with a lemongrass and Thai-chili mix, then stuffs it in dough with pepper-jack cheese. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026 At Mano a Mano in Chicago, Mortadella is sliced thick and then griddled for a panino brunch sandwich with eggs and Calabrian chili butter. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 7 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 15 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

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