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
Fat-burning foods include options like fatty fish, coffee, lean meats, green tea, ginger, chili peppers, and more.
—
Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025
He’s also brought in compound butter or chili oil topping.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 21 May 2025
For more adventurous eaters, consider introducing lentil soups, flavorful bean chili or stews.
—Dr. Kelly Fradin, CNBC, 20 May 2025
Support Large-Fruited Plants Pepper varieties that produce small fruit, like Thai chilis, rarely require staking, but bell peppers and other large-fruited plants may need plant stakes to keep their branches from breaking under the weight of the peppers.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for chili
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Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025
He’s also brought in compound butter or chili oil topping.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 21 May 2025
For more adventurous eaters, consider introducing lentil soups, flavorful bean chili or stews.
—Dr. Kelly Fradin, CNBC, 20 May 2025
Support Large-Fruited Plants Pepper varieties that produce small fruit, like Thai chilis, rarely require staking, but bell peppers and other large-fruited plants may need plant stakes to keep their branches from breaking under the weight of the peppers.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 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 30 May. 2025.
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