One syllable: chills.
chilz
/tʃɪlz/
chills is pronounced chilz (/tʃɪlz/). It has one syllable (chills), with the stress on "chills". Chills refers to a sudden, often involuntary feeling of cold accompanied by shivering, or to a strong thrill or excitement that causes a physical reaction. It can describe a temperature drop or an intense emotional shiver, typically lasting a brief moment. In casual speech, it also marks a strong, visceral reaction, sometimes used figuratively.
Chills refers to a sudden, often involuntary feeling of cold accompanied by shivering, or to a strong thrill or excitement that causes a physical reaction. It can describe a temperature drop or an intense emotional shiver, typically lasting a brief moment. In casual speech, it also marks a strong, visceral reaction, sometimes used figuratively.
"The winter wind sent chills down my spine as I walked through the cemetery."
"Hearing the spine-tingling melody gave me chills."
"The ghost story gave her chills and she pulled the blanket tighter."
Pronounce as /tʃɪlz/ with a voiceless /tʃ/ blend (the ch sound as in chair), a short lax /ɪ/ vowel like 'bit,' and a final /lz/ cluster where the tongue contacts the alveolar ridge for /l/ before a clear /z/. Stress is on the single syllable. You can reference a short audio sample from Pronounce or Forvo to hear the exact flow.
Common errors include rounding the lips too much on the /ʃ/ or incorrectly articulating the /l/ as a vowel-like vowel (i.e., ‘ch—illz’ with a weak L). Another frequent mistake is devoicing the final /z/ or turning it into /s/. Focus on a clean /l/ release before the /z/ and keep the /tʃ/ blend crisp. Practice with minimal pairs like 'chill' vs 'chip' to ensure the final consonant isn’t blurred.
In US, UK, and AU, the onset /tʃ/ is similar, but vowels may be slightly shorter in fast speech. The /ɪ/ can be slightly more centralized in some UK accents, and in non-rhotic UK varieties, the following /l/ still links strongly before /z/. Australian English often has a slightly broader vowel quality, with a less centralized /ɪ/ and a more open jaw position, but the /tʃ/ and final /lz/ remain distinct in all three.
The difficulty lies in the precise articulation of the /tʃ/ onset followed by a quick, clear /ɪ/ vowel and a smooth /lz/ cluster. The tricky part is transitioning from the vowel to the lateral /l/ and then to the voiced /z/ without inserting a schwa or weakening the /l/ into a vowel. Coordinating lip tension, tongue blade height, and voicing in a single syllable can challenge non-native speakers.
A unique aspect is the tightly connected consonant cluster at the end: /lz/. After the vowel /ɪ/, you must hold the tongue near the alveolar ridge for /l/ and immediately voice /z/ without a release like /s/. Practicing with a quick tap as a bridge can help maintain the smooth transition, especially in faster speech or in rapid conversational context.
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Chills originates from the Old English word ciele or ciele-wearme, related to cold and coldness, and is tied to the Proto-Germanic *kēwilam. The modern sense of ‘feeling cold with shivering’ developed in Middle English as a descriptive term for bodily reactions to cold or fear. By the 16th century, chills also began to be used metaphorically to describe a thrilling or shuddering sensation, particularly in relation to fear or awe. The word eventually generalized to describe various intense, transient physical or emotional responses: a literal drop in temperature causing shivering, or an inexplicable emotional shock. The term is now common in both medical and colloquial speech, often used as a figurative indicator of strong emotional or sensory impact as well as temperature-related sensations.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "chills" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "chills" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "chills" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "chills"
-lls sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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