One syllable: chills.
/tʃɪlz/
chills is pronounced /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.
Say it backChills 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.
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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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