chill

Everyday

1. A chill is a feeling of cold: «a chill in the air». tree →
2. A chill is a mild illness where you feel cold and shivery: «catch a chill». tree →
3. To chill is to make something cold or cool, often in a fridge. tree →
4. A chill (down your spine) is a feeling of fear. tree →
5. (informal) To chill or chill out is to relax and calm down; a chill person is relaxed. tree →

In the lessons

In science, chilling food in the fridge slows bacteria (food safety). In weather lessons, «wind chill» is how much colder the wind makes it feel. In stories, «a chill ran down her spine» shows fear. In everyday kid talk, «Chill!» means «Calm down», and «chilling» means relaxing. Phrases: «a chill in the air», «chill out», «wind chill», «send a chill down your spine».

Examples

• There's a chill in the air this morning. tree →
• Put the drinks in the fridge to chill. tree →
• Wear a coat so you don't catch a chill. tree →
• A chill ran down my spine when the door creaked. tree →
• The wind chill made it feel minus ten. tree →
• We chilled out on the sofa after school. tree →
• Chill — it's only a game! tree →
• Chill the jelly for two hours until it sets. tree →
• The fisherman was chilled with fear. tree →

Note

Adjective: chilly (rather cold); chilling (scary). «Chill out» is informal — don't use it with a head teacher. Food safety: keep cold food chilled (in the fridge below about 5°C / 40°F).