Reading Theme:
Chill: Meaning, Usage & Examples in English (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：be relaxed (chill)
chill
/tʃɪl/
v.
Describes a relaxed, easy-going, and calm state or personality.
be relaxed
➕
/bi rɪˈlækst/
v.
To be in a state of calmness and relaxation, often used to describe a person's demeanor.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'ciele', 'cele' meaning 'cold, coolness, frost'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of being cool as a cucumber. A **chill** person has a 'cold' head, not easily heated up by stress.
📖 Example
My friend Mark is always so chill; even when there's a problem, he just smiles and figures it out.
My friend Mark always remains relaxed; even when problems arise, he just smiles and finds a solution.
🔗 Collocations
chill out – to relax completely, to calm down
chill vibe – a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere
stay chill – to remain calm and composed
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
chillness (n.) – the state or quality of being chill (relaxed)
📖 Cultural Story
Originally referring to physical cold, 'chill' evolved semantically in the late 20th century within slang, particularly from African-American Vernacular English and surf/skate culture. It came to mean 'to relax' or 'to calm down', a shift from the sensation of cold to a metaphor for a cool, unbothered attitude.
Meaning 2：coldness (chill)
chill
/tʃɪl/
v.
A slight but noticeable feeling of coldness, like the cool air of an autumn evening.
coldness
➕
/ˈkoʊldnəs/
v.
A moderate but noticeable feeling of coldness, often in the air or atmosphere.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
There was a sudden chill in the air as the sun went down, so I went back inside to get a jacket.
A sudden coldness filled the air as the sun set, prompting me to go back inside for a jacket.
🔗 Collocations
chill in the air – a noticeable coolness in the atmosphere
send chills down one's spine – to cause a sudden feeling of fear or excitement
morning chill – the cold air typically felt in the early morning
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
chilly (adj.) – uncomfortably cool or cold
Meaning 3：make cold (chill)
chill
/tʃɪl/
v.
To make something colder, usually to make it more pleasant to drink or eat.
make cold
➕
/meɪk koʊld/
v.
To lower the temperature of something, typically food or drink, in order to cool it down.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Can you please chill these bottles of juice in the fridge for an hour before the picnic?
Could you please cool these bottles of juice in the refrigerator for an hour before the picnic?
🔗 Collocations
chill a drink – to cool a beverage before serving
chill thoroughly – to cool something completely, often referring to food
well-chilled – adequately cooled (often for wine or desserts)
🔄 Synonyms
cool (v.) – to make or become less warm
refrigerate (v.) – to keep food or drink cold in a refrigerator
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
chiller (n.) – a device or container for cooling something
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