chili

views updated May 23 2018

chil·i / ˈchilē/ (also chili pepper or chile or Brit. chilli) • n. (pl. chilies or chiles or Brit. chillies) a small hot-tasting pod of a variety of capsicum, used chopped (and often dried) in sauces, relishes, and spice powders. ∎ short for chili powder. ∎  (also chile con carne / kän ˈkärnē; kən/ ) a spicy stew of beef and red chilies or chili powder, often with beans and tomatoes.