Chili Meaning
/ˈt͡ʃɪli/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe pungent, spicy fresh or dried fruit of any of several cultivated varieties of capsicum peppers, used in cooking.
nounPowdered chili pepper, used as a spice or flavouring in cooking.
Sentence Examples
The chili burnt my tongue.
Add seasoning, seasoned oil, and chili, to the boiling water.
CEFR Practice Quiz
He ordered a bowl of red ____ with beef and kidney beans for lunch.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I added some extra ____ powder to the soup to make it more spicy.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from Spanish chile, from Classical Nahuatl chīlli.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Capsicum—the dried ripe fruit of Capsicum fastigiatum—is also known as Chilly pepper, Chillies, Guinea, or pod pepper, and is chiefly brought from Zanzibar. The several varieties differ in shape and size, are of a red colour, and filled with numerous red-brown, pungent seeds."
— 1874, Finlay Dun, “Peppers”, in Veterinary Medicines: Their Actions and Uses, 4th edition, New York, N.Y.: William Wood & Company, →OCLC, pages 442–443:
"Kama Indian Bistro, […] Everything is made from scratch, including the spice blends and sauces; the ingredients are quality; and the heat is no-holds-barred. Planks of crispy, "chilly" potatoes and elegant, delicately flavored shrimp Sunnaina in white-wine garlic-tomato concassé are hits."
— 2014, Jennifer Olvera, “Suburban Stunners, Stalwarts & Surprises”, in Amy Lyons, editor, Food Lovers’ Guide to Chicago: The Best Restaurants, Markets & Local Culinary Offerings (Food Lovers’ Series), 2nd edition, Guilford, Conn.: Globe Pequot Press, →ISBN, page 187:
"That I might have gone to Chili, and expended nearly the amount of a first instalment, while I passed my hours in comparative enjoyment, you must readily admit was in my power."
— 1827, Joseph Andrews, Journey from Buenos Ayres through the provinces of Cordova, Tucuman, and Salta, to Potosi, thence by the Deserts of Caranja to Arica, and subsequently to Santiago de Chili and Coquimbo, undertaken on behalf of the Chilian and Peruvian Mining Association, volume 1, page 274:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
He ordered a bowl of red ____ with beef and kidney beans for lunch.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I added some extra ____ powder to the soup to make it more spicy.