chilly

Everyday

1. Chilly means rather cold, cold enough to be uncomfortable. tree →
2. A chilly person or welcome is unfriendly and not warm. tree →

In the lessons

In weather and science, chilly describes a cool morning or room: put on a jumper. In stories a chilly look or chilly reply shows someone is unfriendly or annoyed. Phrases: a chilly morning, feel chilly, a chilly wind, a chilly welcome.

Examples

• It's a bit chilly, so take your jacket. tree →
• The classroom was chilly before the heating came on. tree →
• A chilly wind blew across the beach. tree →
• I feel chilly; can you close the window? tree →
• The nights get chillier in autumn. tree →
• She gave him a chilly stare. tree →
• We got a chilly welcome from the grumpy shopkeeper. tree →
• A chilly little wind came creeping with them making scary noises in the grass. tree →

Note

Comparison: chilly, chillier, chilliest (y becomes i). Chilly is milder than cold or freezing. Homophone trap: «chilli/chili» is a hot spicy pepper, which is the opposite of chilly! Do not mix them up.