chili: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, culinary, everyday.
Quick answer
What does “chili” mean?
The small, hot fruit of a type of pepper plant (Capsicum spp.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The small, hot fruit of a type of pepper plant (Capsicum spp.), used as a pungent spice in cooking.
1) A dish (stew or soup) made with chili peppers and usually beans and meat. 2) A shortened form of 'chili powder', a spice blend. 3) A state of excitement or intensity (slang).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'chilli' is the dominant spelling. In the US, 'chili' is more common, especially for the dish 'chili con carne'. The US dish is often bean-based and served as a main course, while a UK 'chilli' might be seen as a topping.
Connotations
US: Associated with Tex-Mex cuisine, cook-offs, and hearty food. UK: Often part of a more generic 'spicy food' category, sometimes less culturally specific.
Frequency
The dish is common in both cultures, but more culturally central and varied in the US. The raw pepper is common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “chili” in a Sentence
Add [quantifier] of chili [to dish]The chili [tastes/looks/smells] [adjective]Cook/make/prepare chiliVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chili” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He likes to chilli up his soups with a dash of powder.
American English
- She decided to chili the beans for extra kick.
adverb
British English
- The sauce was chilli hot.
American English
- The stew was seasoned chili hot.
adjective
British English
- It had a distinct chilli aftertaste.
American English
- He ordered a chili dog at the baseball game.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in food industry contexts (e.g., 'chili sauce export market').
Academic
In botany, culinary studies, or cultural anthropology papers.
Everyday
Extremely common in cooking, restaurant menus, and casual conversation about food.
Technical
In horticulture (cultivars), food science (Scoville scale for heat).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chili”
- Spelling confusion (chili/chilli/chile). Using 'chili' to mean 'bell pepper' (which is not hot). Overusing 'chili' as a generic term for any spicy dish.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Chili' is common in US English (especially for the dish). 'Chilli' is common in UK and international English. 'Chile' is the Spanish spelling and is often used in the US Southwest and in culinary contexts for the fresh pepper.
The raw pepper and dish are *intended* to be spicy, but there are mild varieties (like ancho) and 'mild chili' versions of the dish that have less heat.
Yes, informally it can mean 'to add chili to' or 'to make spicy', though it's less common than the noun form.
In classic Texas-style chili, beans are controversial and often omitted. In most other American and British versions, beans (like kidney or pinto) are a standard, hearty ingredient.
The small, hot fruit of a type of pepper plant (Capsicum spp.
Chili is usually informal, culinary, everyday. in register.
Chili: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪl.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪl.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “chili pepper (descriptor for something hot/spicy)”
- “to take the chili out of [something] (to make less intense)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHILI' makes your tongue go 'CHILLY' and hot at the same time.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEAT IS SPICINESS / INTENSITY IS HEAT (e.g., 'a chili-hot performance').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the spelling 'chili' most strongly preferred?