chill

An unpleasant feeling of cold in the air or around you.

• There is a chill in the air.
• She wore a coat against the evening chill.
• The fire took the chill out of the room.

Similar words: coldness, cold

Opposites: warmth

Common phrases: chill in something, morning chill, winter chill

A sudden feeling of cold that makes your body shake.

• A chill ran through her body.
• He had chills and a fever all night.
• I felt a sudden chill when I stepped outside.

Similar words: shiver, shudder

Common phrases: have a chill, get a chill, chill down something

A sudden, strong feeling of fear or worry, sometimes making your body shake.

• His words gave me a chill.
• A chill of fear passed through the crowd.
• The empty house sent chills down her spine.

How to use it: send a chill down someone’s spine (The strange whisper sent a chill down my spine.)

Similar words: shiver, shudder

Common phrases: chill down something, send a chill, feel a chill

Relaxed and calm, without being worried or upset.

• My brother is pretty chill.
• Everyone stayed chill when the plans changed.
• Are you chill about sharing a room?

How to use it: be chill about something (She is chill about last-minute changes.)

Similar words: relaxed, calm, easygoing

Opposites: tense

Common phrases: chill about something, chill person, pretty chill

Uncomfortably cold, though not freezing.

• A chill wind shook the trees.
• She stepped into the chill night air.
• The chill autumn mornings made him long for summer.

Similar words: chilly, cold, cool

Opposites: warm

Common phrases: chill wind, chill air, chill morning

Showing no friendliness or welcome.

• We received a chill welcome.
• Her chill manner made conversation difficult.
• He answered our request with a chill silence.

Similar words: cold, unfriendly, distant

Opposites: friendly, warm

Common phrases: chill reception, chill greeting, chill silence

To make food, a drink, or something else colder.

• Chill the juice before serving.
• She chilled the glasses in the fridge.
• The salad should be chilled for an hour.

Similar words: cool, refrigerate

Opposites: heat, warm

Common phrases: chill the wine, chill before serving, chill a drink, chill the dough

To become cold.

• The water chilled overnight.
• His body chilled quickly in the icy wind.
• The air began to chill as darkness fell.

Similar words: cool, cool down

Opposites: warm

Common phrases: chill quickly, chill in something, chill overnight