chilled

Chilled is the past participle of the verb to chill. As an adjective, it most commonly indicates that something has been cooled or is cold to the touch, often to a specific temperature. In everyday usage, chilled can also describe a calm or relaxed mood or atmosphere, as in a chilled-out party. The term is widely used in food and beverage contexts to describe temperature-controlled handling and storage.

In cooking and service, phrases such as chilled water, chilled wine, and chilled beer describe products that are kept cold for safety and enjoyment. In industrial and commercial settings, “chilled” denotes cooling produced by refrigeration or specialized equipment, for example chilled storage rooms, chilled water systems, or chilled beams used in building climate control. The label implies a deliberate cooling step rather than a generic state of cold.

In culture and entertainment, “chilled” is often used to describe music or media with a relaxed, soothing character; chillout or chilled-out styles refer to downtempo electronic music and ambient compositions. The term also appears in lifestyle contexts to characterize leisure activities intended to be soothing or low-key.

Etymology and regional usage follow the broader sense of chill, meaning to cause to become cold. In British English, chilled is common in everyday speech and product labeling and often conveys both precise temperature and a sense of calm. American English uses chilled in similar contexts, though native speakers may also simply say cold or refrigerated depending on the register.