chilli: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “chilli” mean?
the small, hot-tasting fruit of certain capsicum pepper plants, used as a spice or vegetable.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the small, hot-tasting fruit of certain capsicum pepper plants, used as a spice or vegetable.
A spicy dish, typically Mexican or Tex-Mex, made with meat, beans, and chillies; intense excitement or danger (slang, e.g., 'add some chilli to the party').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK 'chilli' (double 'l') is most common; US 'chili' is standard for both the pepper and the dish, though 'chile' is seen in southwestern US for the pepper. 'Chilli con carne' is the UK term for the meat dish; US typically shortens to 'chili'.
Connotations
UK: often associated with Indian, Thai, or generic 'hot' cuisine. US: strongly associated with Tex-Mex, Mexican, and Southwestern cuisine.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties due to global cuisine. The dish sense is more frequent in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “chilli” in a Sentence
[add/remove/slice] a chilli[dish/sauce/curry] with chilli[adjust/control] the amount of chillichilli [grows/is grown/is used]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chilli” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Let's chilli this dip up a bit.
- He chillied the stew generously.
American English
- She decided to chili up the beans.
- They always chili their homemade salsa.
adjective
British English
- A chilli-infused oil
- The chilli heat was overwhelming.
American English
- A chili-flavored crisp
- The chili cook-off is next week.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the food industry: 'chilli export markets', 'chilli-based product line'.
Academic
In botany or food science: 'Capsicum annuum cultivars vary in chilli heat measured in Scoville units.'
Everyday
Cooking and dining: 'Be careful, that curry has three whole chillies in it!'
Technical
Agricultural: 'Optimal soil pH for chilli cultivation is between 6.0 and 6.8.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chilli”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chilli”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chilli”
- Incorrect: 'chilly' (meaning cold). Correct: 'chilli' (the spice).
- Confusing countable/uncountable: 'Add two chillies' (correct for whole fruits) vs 'Add some chilli' (correct for powder or general spiciness).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. Countable when referring to whole fruits ('three chillies'), uncountable when referring to the spice or general concept ('add some chilli').
'Chilli' is the standard UK spelling. 'Chili' is the standard US spelling for both the pepper and the dish. 'Chile' is a variant used in the southwestern US, especially for the pepper, and is also the name of the country.
The heat comes from capsaicin, a chemical compound concentrated in the seeds and internal membranes (placenta) of the fruit.
Remove the seeds and internal white ribs (where most capsaicin is). Adding dairy (yoghurt, cream), sugar, acid (lime juice), or more bulk (beans, meat) can also help balance the heat.
the small, hot-tasting fruit of certain capsicum pepper plants, used as a spice or vegetable.
Chilli is usually informal to neutral in register.
Chilli: 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
- “chilli to my soul (poetic)”
- “cool as a chilli (ironic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CHILLI is so hot it gives you CHILLS down your spine.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEAT IS INTENSITY / DANGER IS SPICE (e.g., 'a chilli of a situation').
Practice
Quiz
Which spelling is most common in British English for the spicy pepper?