Etymology
Advertisement

chilly (adj.)

1560s, "causing a sensation of cold," from chill (n.) + -y (2). Meaning "feeling coldish" is attested from 1610s; figurative sense of "distant, formal, not hearty or affectionate" is by 1841. Related: Chilliness. Earlier as an adjective was simply chill "tending to cause shivering" (1510s).

updated on November 09, 2017

Advertisement
Advertisement