chili powder: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Informal. Common in everyday cooking contexts, recipe books, and food media.
Quick answer
What does “chili powder” mean?
A ground, dried spice made from one or more varieties of chili peppers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A ground, dried spice made from one or more varieties of chili peppers.
A commercially prepared spice blend containing ground chilies along with other seasonings, such as cumin, garlic powder, and oregano, used to flavor dishes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the spelling is often 'chilli powder'. In the US, the predominant spelling is 'chili powder'. The US 'chili powder' blend is central to making the dish 'chili con carne', which is less common in the UK.
Connotations
In the US, it strongly connotes Tex-Mex or Southwestern cuisine and the dish 'chili'. In the UK, it may have a more generic 'spice' or 'international cuisine' connotation.
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to the cultural prominence of Mexican and Tex-Mex food.
Grammar
How to Use “chili powder” in a Sentence
[verb] + chili powder + [preposition] + [noun] (e.g., dust the chicken with chili powder)[noun] + [verb] + chili powder (e.g., the recipe calls for chili powder)[adjective] + chili powder + [noun] (e.g., a spicy chili powder mixture)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chili powder” in a Sentence
verb
British English
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American English
- —
adverb
British English
- —
American English
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adjective
British English
- She made a chilli-powder rub for the ribs.
American English
- The chili-powder seasoning gave it a kick.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the food manufacturing, retail (spice aisle), and culinary arts industries.
Academic
May appear in food science, cultural studies, or anthropology papers discussing cuisine.
Everyday
Extremely common in home cooking, recipe discussions, and restaurant menus.
Technical
Used in professional cookery, food labelling regulations, and spice blending.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chili powder”
- Incorrect: 'chilly powder' (confusion with the adjective meaning 'cold').
- Incorrect: using 'paprika' as a direct synonym (paprika is a specific type of ground pepper, often milder and sweeter).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Cayenne pepper is a specific type of ground, very hot chili. 'Chili powder' is often a blend and is typically milder and more complex in flavor.
Yes, by drying and grinding specific chili peppers. For the American blend, you would also add ground cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and sometimes paprika.
Commercial blends vary by brand in their pepper types and additional spices (cumin, garlic, salt). Some are pure ground chili, while others are pre-mixed blends.
For the blend: mix paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne. For pure ground chili: use cayenne, paprika (for mild heat/color), or another ground dried chili like ancho or chipotle.
A ground, dried spice made from one or more varieties of chili peppers.
Chili powder is usually neutral to informal. common in everyday cooking contexts, recipe books, and food media. in register.
Chili powder: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪl.i ˌpaʊ.dər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪl.i ˌpaʊ.dɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated; it is a literal term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the dish 'CHILI' - its main spice POWDER is CHILI POWDER.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEAT IS A SUBSTANCE (e.g., 'Add some heat with chili powder').
Practice
Quiz
What is a key difference between British and American usage of 'chili powder'?