chills
chills — verb
1. to get colder, or to make food, drink, or air cooler without turning it into ice
to get colder, or to make food, drink, or air cooler without turning it into ice.
The soup chills quickly if you leave the pot by the open window.
intransitive: something chills in cooler air
A short rest in the fridge chills the mango cake before serving.
transitive: chills + food noun
The evening breeze chills the wet towels hanging on the balcony.
By midnight, the desert air chills enough for everyone to grab jackets.
- cool
more general and often milder in effect
- refrigerate
more technical and strongly linked to storage in a fridge
- freshen
lighter and often used for air rather than food
文法句型
something chills
chills + noun
用法筆記
This sense can be intransitive for weather, air, or food becoming cooler, or transitive when something cools another thing. It is about cooling, not freezing.
2. to spend time resting in an easy way and doing very little.
to spend time resting in an easy way and doing very little.
After finals, Defne chills on the sofa and watches cooking shows.
informal: chills on the sofa
Christopher chills at the park with bubble tea after his Saturday shift.
informal leisure routine
The whole team chills in the hostel lounge before the night bus leaves.
On rainy Sundays, Meera chills at home and sorts old photos.
文法句型
somebody chills
chills at home
chills with friends
用法筆記
Informal. It usually describes casual free time with no real task, unlike sense 3, which is about emotions settling down.
3. to settle emotionally and stop getting upset, angry, or tense.
to settle emotionally and stop getting upset, angry, or tense.
Nia chills once the teacher explains that the lost homework was found.
chills once [problem is solved]
Rafael usually chills after a minute, even during loud family arguments.
The crowd chills when the singer returns and starts the second song.
Takeshi chills faster if someone speaks to him in a quiet voice.
文法句型
somebody chills
chills when ...
chills after ...
用法筆記
Informal and often conversational. Use this sense for emotions settling, not for quiet leisure time, which belongs to sense 2.
4. to make someone's confidence, interest, or eagerness fade.
to make someone's confidence, interest, or eagerness fade.
The sudden budget cut chills plans for a new youth center.
formal: event chills plans
News of the lawsuit chills investors who were ready to expand.
formal reporting style
A single rude comment chills a student's interest in drama club.
The weak sales report chills hopes of opening a second bakery.
- discourage
more general and works in everyday language
- dampen
often used for reducing excitement rather than stopping it completely
- dishearten
stronger and more personal in tone
文法句型
something chills + noun
chills hopes/confidence/interest
用法筆記
The object is usually abstract, such as confidence, hopes, or discussion. This sense is common in news and analytical writing.
chills — noun
1. the uncomfortable feeling that your body is getting cold and may start to shake.
the uncomfortable feeling that your body is getting cold and may start to shake.
After the boat ride, Ezra had chills and wrapped himself in two towels.
have chills after cold exposure
Wet shoes gave Sivan chills before the mountain bus finally arrived.
The thin hospital gown left Christopher with chills during the night.
Cold rain sent chills through the runners waiting at the start line.
文法句型
have chills
get chills
with chills
用法筆記
Often appears in have, get, or with patterns. It usually describes physical cold rather than fear.
2. a mild fever, often with shaking or a cold feeling when illness begins.
a mild fever, often with shaking or a cold feeling when illness begins.
Indra skipped practice because she had chills and a low fever.
medical: chills and a low fever
The nurse asked whether Rafael's chills started before the cough.
symptom question in medical context
Two days after the trip, Meera developed chills and called the clinic.
Persistent chills made the doctor order a blood test that afternoon.
- fever
broader and can be higher or more serious
- temperature
informal British use for having a fever
- symptoms
much broader and not specific to fever
- recovery
describes the state after illness improves
文法句型
have chills
develop chills
chills and fever
用法筆記
This sense treats chills as a symptom of illness, often mentioned with fever, cough, or infection. It is more medical than sense 1.
3. a sudden wave of fear or unease that seems to run through you.
a sudden wave of fear or unease that seems to run through you.
The strange whisper in the empty hall gave Defne chills at once.
give someone chills from fear
One photo from the old case file still sends Nia chills.
sends someone chills
A sudden knock at midnight gave the babysitter chills.
That final scene gives Meera chills every time she watches the film.
- shiver
can be physical or emotional, so it is broader
- dread
focuses on fear itself rather than the bodily feeling
- goosebumps
often includes excitement or emotion, not only fear
- reassurance
removes fear rather than creating it
- ease
broader emotional comfort
文法句型
give someone chills
send chills through someone
用法筆記
This sense is about fear, horror, or strong tension, not body temperature. It is often used with give or send.