Definition of chill

Short definition: The word chill means to relax and stay calm instead of feeling stressed or worried. People use it to talk about resting, hanging out with friends, or keeping a cool and easy attitude in different situations.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word chill? The word chill is used in many different ways in everyday English. Sometimes it talks about feeling cold, other times it describes a calm attitude, a relaxed moment, or even a quiet warning to slow down. You will often hear it in casual conversation, especially when people talk about relaxing, staying cool, or not stressing too much. Below, each meaning is explained in a natural and human way, so it feels easy to understand and real to everyday life.

Forms: chill, chills, chilled, chilling
Related: chilly adj., chill out phr.
Syllable: chill

1. A feeling of cold or a sudden cool sensation.

   In its most basic meaning, a chill is the feeling of cold that runs through your body. It can happen when the weather changes, when you step into an air-conditioned room, or when your body reacts to illness. Sometimes people say they “feel a chill” even before they realize they are getting sick.

   A cold chill ran through her when the wind picked up.
   He felt a sudden chill after stepping into the icy water.
   The room was quiet, and a strange chill filled the air.

   Synonyms: cold feeling, cool sensation, icy touch, cold wave, shiver feeling, frosty air, cool breeze, sudden cold, chilly sense, cold rush, freezing feeling, cool draft
   Antonyms: warmth, heat, cozy feeling, warm sensation, hot air, body warmth, comfortable heat, mild warmth, warm breeze, cozy temperature, heated feeling, pleasant warmth

2. A calm and relaxed way of being.

   In modern and casual English, chill often means being relaxed and easygoing. A chill person does not panic easily, does not overreact, and usually stays calm even when things get stressful. This meaning is very common in friendly conversations.

   He stayed chill even when everyone else was stressed.
   She’s really chill about changes and new plans.
   Try to be chill and enjoy the moment.

   Synonyms: relaxed, calm, easygoing, laid-back, cool-headed, stress-free, peaceful, mellow, unbothered, steady, composed, at ease
   Antonyms: stressed, tense, nervous, anxious, uptight, worried, panicked, uneasy, restless, overreacting, pressured, frantic

3. To relax or take a break.

   As a verb, chill often means to slow down and relax. People say “let’s chill” when they want to hang out, rest, or enjoy a quiet time together. It does not always mean doing nothing, but doing something without pressure.

   Let’s just chill at home tonight.
   They chilled by the beach after work.
   I need to chill before starting the next task.

   Synonyms: relax, rest, unwind, take it easy, slow down, calm down, hang out, cool off, ease up, de-stress, settle down, loosen up
   Antonyms: rush, hurry, stress out, push hard, overwork, strain, pressure oneself, panic, tense up, overthink, speed up, exhaust oneself

4. A quiet warning or feeling that something is wrong.

   Sometimes chill is used to describe a strange or uncomfortable feeling, like when something suddenly feels off. People say “that gave me chills” when a moment feels creepy, shocking, or deeply emotional.

   His story gave her a strange chill.
   The empty hallway sent a chill down his spine.
   That sudden silence created an uneasy chill.

   Synonyms: uneasy feeling, creepy sense, cold shiver, spine-tingling moment, strange sensation, eerie feeling, unsettling vibe, cold fear, nervous shiver, haunting feeling, tense atmosphere, disturbing sense
   Antonyms: comfort, reassurance, calm feeling, safe sense, warm emotion, pleasant mood, relaxed atmosphere, peaceful vibe, cozy feeling, friendly mood, secure feeling, easy comfort

5. To cool something down.

   Chill can also mean making something cold. You can chill drinks, food, or even yourself by lowering the temperature. This meaning is common in daily life, especially when talking about the weather or food.

   She put the juice in the fridge to chill it.
   Let the soup chill before serving.
   He went inside to chill after standing in the heat.

   Synonyms: cool, refrigerate, freeze lightly, lower temperature, make cold, cool down, ice, refresh, cold-store, reduce heat, cool off, chill out
   Antonyms: heat, warm up, reheat, raise temperature, boil, bake, toast, heat through, warm, steam, cook, make hot