Chill

verb/noun/adjective
Base chill · Past chilled · Past Participle chilled · Present Participle chilling · 3rd person chills
Frequency
High
CEFR Level
B1
Register
Informal
Domain
General
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Definition

1. (verb) To relax and do nothing in particular — to take it easy without stress or pressure.
2. (adjective) Calm, relaxed, and easy-going — used to describe a person or atmosphere.
3. (noun) A feeling of cold, or a sudden feeling of fear that makes your body shiver.
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Context Alive

It's Sunday afternoon and you have absolutely nothing planned. Your flatmate asks what you're doing today and you say "nothing — just chilling." You spend the next three hours on the sofa in your pyjamas, switching between your phone and a random show on TV. No plans, no pressure, no one to meet. By the evening you feel completely recharged and ready for Monday.
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Meanings

3 meanings
1 To Relax and Take It Easy (Verb) Very Common
This meaning is about doing nothing stressful — just relaxing, hanging out, or taking a break from everything. Imagine it's Friday evening after a brutal week at work. You get home, change into comfortable clothes, order food, and just chill on the sofa with no plans and no obligations. This is describing a state of total, casual relaxation. You might say "I'm just chilling at home" when someone asks what you're up to and you're doing absolutely nothing, or someone could say "let's chill at my place tonight" as a casual invitation to hang out without any specific activity. Or picture a group of friends sitting in a park on a warm evening, talking, laughing, and drinking coffee — they're just chilling together. The word suggests zero pressure, zero stress, and zero effort.
✏️ Chill and chill out mean the same thing when talking about relaxing. "I'm just chilling" and "I'm just chilling out" are interchangeable. But chill out also works as a command: "chill out!" means "calm down!" — you say it to someone who's getting too stressed or angry. Netflix and chill became a famous phrase but it actually implies more than just watching TV — be careful using it!
2 Calm and Relaxed (Adjective) Very Common
This meaning is about describing a person, place, or atmosphere as calm, laid-back, and easy to be around. Imagine meeting your friend's new boyfriend for the first time and he's friendly, relaxed, doesn't try too hard, and makes everyone feel comfortable. You'd say he's really chill. This is describing a quality that people find attractive and easy to be around. You might say "the vibe at that café is really chill" about a quiet, relaxed place with soft music and no rush, or someone could say "she's the chillest person I know" about a friend who never panics or overreacts. Or think about a boss who doesn't micromanage, lets you work at your own pace, and never raises his voice — people would describe him as a chill boss. The word suggests a positive, calm energy that puts others at ease.
✏️ As an adjective, chill is very popular among younger speakers. "He's so chill" is one of the highest compliments in casual English — it means someone is easy-going and drama-free. The superlative chillest is common too: "the chillest person ever." This usage is purely informal — you wouldn't use it in a work email.
3 A Feeling of Cold or Fear (Noun) Common
This meaning is about a physical sensation — either the cold that makes your body shiver, or a sudden wave of fear that gives you goosebumps. Imagine stepping outside on a November morning without a jacket — the air hits your skin and you feel a sharp chill that makes you wrap your arms around yourself. This is describing a cold that you feel suddenly and physically. You might say "there's a chill in the air tonight" when the temperature drops unexpectedly in the evening, or someone could say "the story sent a chill down my spine" about a horror film scene that genuinely scared them. Or picture someone reading a threatening anonymous message on their phone — a chill runs through their body even though the room is warm. The word suggests a sudden, sharp sensation that catches you off guard.
✏️ A chill down your spine and send chills are the key phrases for the fear meaning. "It sent chills down my spine" is one of the most common ways to describe something scary in English. For temperature, a chill in the air is the classic collocation — it describes that first hint of cold weather, usually in autumn.
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Common Patterns

Relaxation (Verb/Adjective)
just chilling doing nothing in particular — the most common casual response
"What are you doing?" — "Nothing, just chilling."
chill at + place to relax at a specific location
Let's chill at my place and watch a movie tonight.
someone is chill describes a person as calm and easy-going
Don't worry about meeting her — she's really chill.
Cold / Fear (Noun)
a chill in the air a noticeable coldness in the atmosphere
There's a chill in the air — I think autumn is coming.
send a chill down someone's spine to cause a sudden feeling of fear or unease
The scream sent a chill down my spine.
catch a chill to become slightly ill from being cold
Put a coat on or you'll catch a chill.
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Collocations

10 collocations
just chilling
doing nothing — the most common casual response to 'what are you doing?'
chill out
to relax, or as a command: calm down
chill vibes
a relaxed, calm atmosphere
really chill
very relaxed and easy-going — used for people or places
chill with friends
to hang out and relax with friends casually
a chill in the air
a noticeable drop in temperature outdoors
send chills down your spine
to cause a sudden feeling of fear
catch a chill
to get slightly sick from cold exposure
a chill person
someone who is calm, relaxed, and drama-free
chilled out
very relaxed and unbothered
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Example Sentences

10 examples
1
I'm not doing anything tonight — just chilling at home with some music.
I have no plans this evening — just relaxing at home and listening to some tunes.
2
He's one of the chillest people I've ever met — nothing bothers him.
He's one of the most laid-back people I know — he never gets stressed about anything.
3
There's a real chill in the air this morning — I think winter is on its way.
It feels noticeably cold outside this morning — winter must be approaching.
4
We just chilled at the beach all day and didn't do anything productive.
We spent the whole day relaxing at the beach without doing anything useful.
5
The ending of that film sent a chill down my spine.
The final scene of that movie genuinely scared me.
6
You need to chill out — it's not as serious as you think.
You need to calm down — the situation isn't as bad as you're making it.
7
The café has a really chill vibe — soft lighting, quiet music, no rush.
The café has a very relaxed atmosphere — dim lights, gentle music, and a calm pace.
8
She caught a chill after walking home in the rain without a coat.
She got slightly ill after walking home in the rain with no jacket.
9
My new manager is super chill — she doesn't micromanage at all.
My new boss is very laid-back — she gives us freedom and doesn't hover over our work.
10
We should chill with the whole group this weekend — it's been ages.
We should all hang out together this weekend — it's been a really long time.
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Phrasal Verbs & Idioms

2 items
⚡ Phrasal Verbs
chill out — To relax completely, or to tell someone to calm down when they're stressed or angry.
Just chill out — everything is going to be fine.
💬 Idioms & Expressions
send chills down someone's spine — To cause a sudden, strong feeling of fear or unease.
The sound of footsteps behind her in the dark alley sent chills down her spine.
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Synonyms & Antonyms

6 items
✅ Synonyms
relax
more neutral and universal — works in any register, not just informal
laid-back
very similar as an adjective — describes a calm, easy-going personality or atmosphere
hang out
similar verb meaning — focuses more on spending time together casually
❌ Antonyms
stress
to feel pressure and anxiety — the opposite of being relaxed
tense
tight, nervous, and unable to relax — the opposite of chill as an adjective
uptight
rigid, easily bothered, and not easy-going — the opposite of a chill person