chili

noun

ˈchi-lē How to pronounce chili (audio)
variants or less commonly 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 Texas chili is also a thick burger-stand version superior as a topping for chili dogs — ask for the spicy mustard — or chili burgers, french fries or tater tots. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026 What if an upmarket pizzeria has red pepper flakes, but not her preferred chili oil? — Maggie Hennessy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 Whether this fall brings unseasonably warm weather or much-too-early snow, the season is still the time for pumpkin spice, fresh apples, fall leaves, pumpkin carving, food trucks, chili cook-offs and live music. — Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Learn more about their first impression of the new chili parlor HERE, including what’s on the menu and the mystery behind what links Starling to the year 1929. — Stephen Wilder, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Sep. 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 verde
chili
Chili
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chili.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chili. Accessed 4 Sep. 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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