quite chilly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite chilly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temperature that is noticeably cold, often in a casual or conversational context. Example: "I stepped outside this morning and found it quite chilly, so I grabbed my jacket before heading out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"Gay bars," he says, "can be quite chilly and rapacious.

Independent

The well-insulated mound is actually quite chilly.

The New York Times

They are hoping it will be quite chilly, in fact.

The New York Times - Sports

"We will be left with quite chilly nights but nice, sunny days".

Independent

Because for months now, rather quietly, the relationship between the two men has become quite chilly.

The New York Times - Sports

Garcia said that at that point, Young's attitude became quite chilly.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Interestingly, I don't think Plummer's Oscar was a kind of sentimentally disguised "career tribute": I suspect the Academy has been fairly indifferent to all the work Plummer has been doing lately and perhaps would be pushed to name many of his screen credits aside from The Sound of Music, in which he was a rather chilly figure, quite different from the warm, sympathetic role he had in Beginners.

The Guardian - Film

On the plus side, it will not be as windy as last weekend, nor quite as chilly.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It can often feel quite emotionally chilly, as if it is not so much a local view of life as a kind of a grand summing up, to which we should all be paying urgent attention.

Independent

No summer would be complete without the one song that makes you want to throw a wonky Frisbee with rampant glee, unabashedly sprint into the murky British sea and quickly run out again after having underestimated quite how chilly it still is, or, better still, pull a sickie on the hottest day of the year.

The Guardian - Music

It is a blustery day at Oxford United's training ground; not really cold, not quite, but certainly chilly.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite chilly" when you want to downplay the coldness, suggesting it's noticeable but not extreme. It works well in casual descriptions of weather or environments.

Common error

Avoid using "quite chilly" in formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise terms like "moderately cold" or specify the temperature if possible. The phrase is best suited for informal, descriptive contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite chilly" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun (often implied, such as "weather" or "air"). As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it describing nights, days, and even relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite chilly" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that effectively describes a temperature that is noticeably cold, but not severely so. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for general use, particularly in informal or descriptive contexts. While common in news and media, its usage is less frequent in formal academic or scientific writing. When you want to convey a mild degree of coldness, "quite chilly" is a reliable and easily understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather cold

Replaces "quite" with "rather", indicating a similar degree of coldness.

fairly cold

Uses "fairly" instead of "quite", suggesting a comparable level of coldness.

somewhat cold

Substitutes "quite" with "somewhat", indicating a slightly lesser degree of coldness.

slightly cold

Emphasizes a mild degree of coldness, less intense than "quite chilly".

moderately cold

Indicates a medium level of coldness, a more formal alternative.

a bit nippy

An informal way to describe a cold temperature.

a little brisk

Describes the weather as fresh and cool, but not severely cold.

rather frosty

Implies a coldness associated with frost, slightly more intense.

coolish

An informal term suggesting a temperature that is on the cooler side.

distinctly cool

Highlights a noticeable level of coolness.

FAQs

How can I use "quite chilly" in a sentence?

"Quite chilly" is used to describe a temperature that is noticeably cold, but not severely so. For example, "The evening air was "quite chilly", so we decided to eat indoors."

What can I say instead of "quite chilly"?

You can use alternatives like "rather cold", "fairly cold", or "somewhat cold" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "quite chilly" or "very chilly"?

"Quite chilly" and "very chilly" both are correct, but they indicate different degrees of coldness. "Very chilly" suggests a greater degree of coldness than "quite chilly".

What's the difference between "quite chilly" and "slightly chilly"?

"Quite chilly" implies a noticeable degree of coldness, whereas "slightly chilly" suggests a mild or barely perceptible coldness. The former is more intense than the latter.