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
After the music, there will be homemade chili (with vegetarian and gluten-free options), salad, dessert, and artisan bread.
—
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Hutcherson moved away from the Cincinnati area years ago, but his love for the chili never left him.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Oct. 2025
This 6-quart Dutch oven is just the right size for baking homemade sourdough or tossing the ingredients together to make your best chili recipe.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
For a fiery dish, add chili garlic sauce, sriracha sauce or some cayenne pepper to the sauce.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chili
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Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Hutcherson moved away from the Cincinnati area years ago, but his love for the chili never left him.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Oct. 2025
This 6-quart Dutch oven is just the right size for baking homemade sourdough or tossing the ingredients together to make your best chili recipe.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
For a fiery dish, add chili garlic sauce, sriracha sauce or some cayenne pepper to the sauce.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chili
Cite this Entry
“Chili.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chili. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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