Understanding the Meaning of the Word Chill in English and as Slang Vocabulary, It Turns Out to Have Various Meanings

Language continues to evolve along with popular culture and technology. It is evident that there are many foreign vocabularies that have become popular in society. One word that is often used in daily conversations is "chill". Although it has become quite popular, in reality, many people still do not know the true meaning of the word chill.

In general, the word chill actually comes from English. However, its usage has now expanded to various contexts of slang, including in Indonesia. As a loanword, chill has many meanings depending on its usage, both in formal and casual contexts.

Well, to know the various meanings of the word chill , let's go straight to the following review.

1. Meaning of the Word Chill

Meaning of the Word Chill (credit: unsplash)

As mentioned earlier, the meaning of the word "chill" comes from English, which literally means "cold" or "shivering." According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, "chill" can refer to an unpleasant cold condition, as in the sentence, "He had caught a chill that night, and was now down with a fever" (He caught a chill that night, and now has a fever). However, the use of "chill" is not limited to its literal meaning.

In other contexts, "chill" also describes a certain mood or feeling, for example, the shivers caused by something beautiful. An example would be, "A song so beautiful it gives me chills" (A song so beautiful it gives me chills). In this sentence, "chill" refers to an emotional feeling, not just a physical condition.

However, in everyday conversation, especially slang, the meaning of the word "chill" is more often used to describe a relaxed, comfortable, or cool atmosphere. This word is even often used as a response to calm someone who is nervous or stressed, such as "Chill, everything will be okay."

2. Usage of the Word Chill in Various Contexts

The Use of the Word Chill in Various Contexts (credit: unsplash)

The word "chill" has diverse meanings depending on the context. In slang, "chill" is used to describe something cool, a relaxed atmosphere, or being okay. Here are some examples of its usage:

1. Cool

According to Online Slang Dictionary, "chill" can mean cool or great. For example:

• "My boyfriend's new Mustang is way chill" (My boyfriend's new Mustang is really cool).

• "She is a chill teacher" (She is a cool teacher).

2. Okay

The word "chill" can also be used to indicate being okay. Example:

• "Don't worry about me, I'm chill" (Don't worry about me, I'm okay).

3. Relaxed

The use of "chill" to describe a relaxed atmosphere is very common. Example:

• "Dude, just chill" (Dude, just relax).

Additionally, other forms like "chill out" are often used in everyday conversation. Although similar, "chill out" usually emphasizes the action of relaxing, such as watching a movie or resting.

3. The Word Chill as Slang Vocabulary

The word Chill as Slang Vocabulary (credit: unsplash)

The meaning of the word "chill" has now become part of the popular slang among young people. As slang vocabulary, "chill" is often used to indicate a relaxed atmosphere or a state of being okay.

Here are examples of conversations that illustrate the use of "chill":

Example 1:

• A: "Oh no, I'm so stressed, I have a big presentation tomorrow!"

• B: "Just relax, bro. Chill, everything will be fine."

Example 2:

• A: "What are you doing?"

• B: "Just chilling at home while watching a movie."

The use of "chill" in everyday conversations helps create a more relaxed and casual atmosphere. This word is often inserted in the middle of Indonesian sentences, adding a modern touch to communication.

4. Slang Words from Other English Languages

Slang Words from Other English Languages (credit: unsplash)

Besides "chill," there are many other slang words from English that are often used in conversations among young people in Indonesia. Here are some of them:

1.Cringe: Describes something embarrassing or uncomfortable.

Example: "I watched that video earlier, and I felt so cringe."

2.Mood: Describes a state of mind or feeling.

Example: "I'm in a bad mood today, I just want to sleep."

3.Vibe: Refers to the general atmosphere or feeling of a place or situation.

Example: "That café has such a cool vibe."

4.Savage: Describes a bold or extraordinary action.

Example: "She immediately replied to that comment with a really savage answer."

5.Slay: Describes someone who performs or does something very well.

Example: "She appeared at that event in an outfit that was so slay."

6. Salty: Describing someone who is upset over trivial things.

Example: "Why are you so salty, it's just a game loss."

7. Ghosting: Suddenly stopping communication without explanation.

Example: "I don’t understand, he just ghosted me out of nowhere."

8. Hype: Something that is highly anticipated or popular.

Example: "That movie is really hyped up on social media."

That’s among the reviews on the explanation of the word chill in English and as slang. Now, you understand the meaning of the word chill in various contexts, right? If not now, when else?

(kpl/psp)