What does chilled mean?
Chilled is an adjective describing something that has been cooled — typically by refrigeration — without being frozen. It applies most naturally to food and drink: chilled wine, chilled soup, chilled water. The word carries connotations of freshness and deliberate care; a chilled dessert suggests refreshment rather than mere coldness, distinguishing it from icy or frozen. Beyond the kitchen, 'chilled' has developed a widespread informal sense meaning relaxed, calm, or easygoing, as in 'a chilled weekend' or 'she's very chilled about deadlines'. This figurative use, especially common in British English and youth culture, reflects a natural metaphorical leap from physical coolness to emotional composure. As the past form of the verb 'chill', it can also describe something having been made cold or, idiomatically, someone having been frightened or disheartened. Versatile and modern-feeling despite its ancient roots, 'chilled' bridges the literal and the psychological with ease.
Cooled, especially by refrigeration, without being frozen.
"Add the chilled butter to the flour and rub it in with your fingertips."
Most commonly applied to food and beverages.
(Informal) Relaxed, calm, or easygoing in temperament or atmosphere.
"It was a really chilled evening — just music, drinks, and good company."
Informal register; often heard as 'chilled-out'.
Past tense and past participle of 'chill': made cold or caused to feel cold.
"She chilled the bottle in the ice bucket before opening it."
"Chilled" does double duty: one minute it's keeping your wine at cellar temperature, the next it's describing someone so relaxed they're practically horizontal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chilled
Chilled derives ultimately from Old English 'ciele' or 'ceald' meaning cold, related to the adjective 'cold' itself. The verb 'chill' arose in Middle English meaning to make cold, and its past participle came to be used adjectivally. The relaxed, easygoing sense is a much later development, gaining currency in late twentieth-century slang before entering mainstream informal usage.
Related word forms
How chilled is actually used
In everyday speech, 'chilled' most often refers to food and drink that have been cooled but not frozen. In informal British and American usage it has also become common as an adjective for a laid-back person, mood, or event ('a chilled vibe'), sometimes extended as 'chilled-out'. When describing fear ('chilled to the bone', 'his blood ran chilled'), it carries a literary rather than casual register.
Easily confused with chilled
'Chilli' is the hot pepper pod used as a spice, while 'chilled' describes something made cold.