chilly
adjective
ˈchi-lē 
chillier; chilliest
1
: noticeably cold : chilling
a chilly day
2
: unpleasantly affected by cold
chilly spectators
3
: lacking warmth of feeling : unfriendly
a chilly reception
4
: tending to arouse fear or apprehension
chilly suspicions
chillily
ˈchi-lə-lē
adverb chilliness
ˈchi-lē-nəs
noun 
Synonyms
- bitter
- bleak
- chill
- chilling
- nipping
- nippy
- raw
- sharp
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
It's a little chilly outside. You must be chilly without a coat on. They gave him a chilly reception.
Recent Examples on the Web From luxurious face washes and moisturizing lip masks to end-of-summer candles and fragrances, Glamour editors are trying to squeeze every last bit of rich moisture into our bodies before chilly air snaps it up. 
Ana Escalante, Glamour, 31 Aug. 2022 While milder weather may be a draw for some — crisp, chilly air is what makes a late autumn jaunt even more appealing for others. Karla Pope, Good Housekeeping, 17 Aug. 2022 The deluge is tied to the contrast between an intense pool of chilly air over southeast Russia and a heat dome over China. Andrew Jeong, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2022 The tide differential averages 3 to 4 feet, and the water is chilly, somewhere in the 60s. Walter Nicklin, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2022 More rarely, some individuals get chilly before an attack and docs aren’t exactly sure why this occurs. Sara Gaynes Levy, SELF, 19 Apr. 2022 But remember, the Palm Spring desert is known to get a little chilly in the evening so be prepared by wrapping a cardigan around your waist. Vogue, 12 Apr. 2022 The winters in Sedona do get a bit chilly, hitting an average high of 53°F in December. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2022 Keep a few around in case guests get chilly, and happy porching season to you. Sarah Baird, Country Living, 1 June 2021 See More
Ana Escalante, Glamour, 31 Aug. 2022 While milder weather may be a draw for some — crisp, chilly air is what makes a late autumn jaunt even more appealing for others. Karla Pope, Good Housekeeping, 17 Aug. 2022 The deluge is tied to the contrast between an intense pool of chilly air over southeast Russia and a heat dome over China. Andrew Jeong, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2022 The tide differential averages 3 to 4 feet, and the water is chilly, somewhere in the 60s. Walter Nicklin, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2022 More rarely, some individuals get chilly before an attack and docs aren’t exactly sure why this occurs. Sara Gaynes Levy, SELF, 19 Apr. 2022 But remember, the Palm Spring desert is known to get a little chilly in the evening so be prepared by wrapping a cardigan around your waist. Vogue, 12 Apr. 2022 The winters in Sedona do get a bit chilly, hitting an average high of 53°F in December. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2022 Keep a few around in case guests get chilly, and happy porching season to you. Sarah Baird, Country Living, 1 June 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
chilly
adjective
ˈchi-lē
chillier; chilliest
: noticeably cold
a chilly morning
chilly
adjective
1
as in chill
uncomfortably cool those chilly nights when a warm fire can be especially comforting Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- chill
- chilling
- cold
- frigid
- bleak
- bitter
- icy
- freezing
- brisk
- nippy
- crisp
- arctic
- frosty
- sharp
- nipping
- raw
- wintry
- shivery
- coolish
- invigorating
- bracing
- wintery
- subfreezing
- subzero
- glacial
- polar
- frozen
- rigorous
- ice-cold
- unheated
- numbing
- iced
- snappy
- frosted
- refrigerated
- frore
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- warm
- balmy
- lukewarm
- tepid
- heated
- warmed
2
as in cold
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling a chilly glare directed at the person who tried to go to the head of the line Synonyms & Similar Words
- cold
- frigid
- icy
- chill
- cool
- arctic
- frosty
- brittle
- wintry
- clammy
- frozen
- reserved
- coldish
- wintery
- gelid
- glacial
- unfriendly
- detached
- antiseptic
- unsympathetic
- uncordial
- hard-eyed
- pitiless
- cold-eyed
- uncaring
- heartless
- coldhearted
- cold-blooded
- unfeeling
- unemotional
- aloof
- undemonstrative
- soulless
- unresponsive
- bloodless
- indifferent
- unenthusiastic
- impersonal
- uninterested
- standoffish
- offish
- apathetic
- dispassionate
- antisocial
- unsociable
- hard-hearted
- unsocial
- kindless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- warm
- sympathetic
- happy
- friendly
- hearty
- cordial
- genial
- kind
- emotional
- warm-blooded
- compassionate
- warmhearted
- expressive
- demonstrative
- eager
- enthusiastic
- kindhearted
- passionate
3
as in frigid
having a low or subnormal temperature a chilly spring morning Synonyms & Similar Words
- cold
- frigid
- freezing
- icy
- chill
- cool
- arctic
- frosty
- wintry
- shivery
- coolish
- nippy
- brisk
- bitter
- coldish
- chilled
- wintery
- cooled
- polar
- glacial
- bone-chilling
- numbing
- gelid
- ice-cold
- crisp
- algid
- nipping
- subzero
- subfreezing
- snappy
- cryogenic
- frozen
- penetrating
- invigorating
- iced
- bracing
- unheated
- piercing
- cutting
- ultracold
- sharp
- refrigerated
- rigorous
- frosted
- keen
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hot
- sweltering
- warming
- boiling
- warm
- sultry
- scorching
- torrid
- fiery
- sizzling
- broiling
- lukewarm
- tepid
- seething
- burning
- searing
- molten
- blazing
- fervent
- scalding
- fervid
- ardent
- igneous
- heated
- glowing
- roasting
- warmed
- toasty
- overheated
- muggy
- snug
- ultrahot
- reheated
- tropical
- feverish
- white-hot
- piping hot
- red-hot
- inflamed
- steamy
- summery
- equatorial
- flushed
- enflamed
- canicular