Chill vs. Shiver: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
Chill refers to a cold feeling or a relaxed state, while shiver is an involuntary shaking due to cold or emotion.
Key Differences
Chill and shiver, while related, encompass differing nuances and applications within the English language. Chill primarily refers to a moderate but penetrating coldness, often causing a feeling of discomfort. It can also refer to a relaxed or untroubled state of mind or being. For example, one might feel a chill when a cold breeze blows, or one might chill on the sofa after a long day, enjoying a moment of relaxation and peace.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Shiver denotes a more physiological response, an involuntary movement involving alternate contractions and relaxations of adjacent muscular fibers, often as a reaction to coldness or fear. A shiver usually encompasses a more intense and uncontrollable physical manifestation compared to a chill, often illustrating a more acute response to external stimuli. For instance, one might shiver uncontrollably while walking in freezing temperatures or during a moment of intense fear.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
These words, although parallel in certain aspects, notably differ in their usage and connotations. Chill conveys a more versatile understanding, signifying either a physical sensation of coldness or a casual, calm demeanor or atmosphere. This versatility allows it to be used in various contexts, describing both physical sensations and states of being.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Conversely, shiver typically pertains more to the physical realm, depicting a distinct, involuntary bodily reaction. It predominantly symbolizes a human body’s response to cold temperatures or heightened emotions, portraying a momentary lapse in one’s control over their body due to external influences. Shiver conveys an immediacy and intensity not always present in the use of chill.
Harlon Moss
Sep 23, 2023
In summary, the nuanced distinction between chill and shiver lies in the range of their meanings and the intensity of the sensations or states they depict. Chill possesses a broader application with dual roles in portraying both a mild physical discomfort due to cold and a relaxed state of being. Shiver, on the other hand, predominantly illustrates a more acute and involuntary physical response to cold or emotional stimuli.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A feeling of coldness, as well as a relaxed state or demeanor.
Involuntary shaking due to coldness or strong emotion.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Usage
Can describe a physical sensation or a state of being.
Primarily describes a physical reaction.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Intensity
Moderate and can be pleasant or uncomfortable.
More intense and usually uncomfortable.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Connotations
Can be neutral, positive, or negative depending on context.
Primarily negative.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
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Chill and Shiver Definitions
Chill
A sensation of coldness.
I felt a chill when I stepped outside in the frosty air.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Shiver
A small fragment or splinter.
The ground was covered in shivers of broken glass.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Chill
A relaxed or nonchalant attitude or atmosphere.
We had a chill evening, just watching movies and eating popcorn.
Harlon Moss
Sep 23, 2023
Shiver
An instance of rapid vibration of the body and teeth chattering due to cold.
The freezing wind caused a shiver to run through my whole body.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
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Shiver
A feeling of fear or revulsion.
The haunted house story sent a shiver down my spine.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Chill
A sensation of coldness, often accompanied by shivering and pallor of the skin.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
A checking or dampening of enthusiasm, spirit, or joy
Bad news that put a chill on the celebration.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
Discouraging; dispiriting
“Chill penury repressed their noble rage” (Thomas Gray).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
(Slang) Calm or relaxed
“As my meditation routine grew more stable...my already laid-back demeanor grew positively chill” (David Gelles).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Shiver
To tremble or shake, especially when cold or frightened.
They stood outside for hours, shivering in the frosty air.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Shiver
To cause to shake or tremble, as a sail, by steering close to the wind.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
A moderate, but uncomfortable and penetrating coldness.
There was a chill in the air.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
A sudden penetrating sense of cold, especially one that causes a brief trembling nerve response through the body; the trembling response itself; often associated with illness: fevers and chills, or susceptibility to illness.
Close the window or you'll catch a chill.
I felt a chill when the wind picked up.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
An uncomfortable and numbing sense of fear, dread, anxiety, or alarm, often one that is sudden and usually accompanied by a trembling nerve response resembling the body's response to biting cold.
Despite the heat, he felt a chill as he entered the crime scene.
The actor's eerie portrayal sent chills through the audience.
His menacing presence cast a chill over everyone.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
An iron mould or portion of a mould, serving to cool rapidly, and so to harden, the surface of molten iron brought in contact with it..
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Shiver
One of the small pieces, or splinters, into which a brittle thing is broken by sudden violence; - generally used in the plural.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
Unwelcoming; not cordial.
Arriving late at the wedding, we were met with a chill reception.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
(slang) Calm, relaxed, easygoing.
The teacher is really chill and doesn't care if you use your phone during class.
Paint-your-own ceramics studios are a chill way to express yourself while learning more about your date's right brain.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Shiver
To break into many small pieces, or splinters; to shatter; to dash to pieces by a blow; as, to shiver a glass goblet.
All the groundWith shivered armor strown.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
(slang) "Cool"; meeting a certain hip standard or garnering the approval of a certain peer group.
That new movie was chill, man.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Shiver
To separate suddenly into many small pieces or parts; to be shattered.
There shiver shafts upon shields thick.
The natural world, should gravity once cease, . . . would instantly shiver into millions of atoms.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Shiver
To tremble; to vibrate; to quiver; to shake, as from cold or fear.
Prometheus is laidOn icy Caucasus to shiver.
The man that shivered on the brink of sin,Thus steeled and hardened, ventures boldly in.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
(transitive) To lower the temperature of something; to cool.
Chill before serving.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Shiver
To cause to shake or tremble, as a sail, by steering close to the wind.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Shiver
An almost pleasurable sensation of fright;
A frisson of surprise shot through him
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
To relax; to lie back.
Chill, man, we've got a whole week to do it; no sense in getting worked up.
The new gym teacher really has to chill or he's gonna blow a gasket.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
To "hang", hang out; to spend time with another person or group.
Hey, we should chill this weekend.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Shiver
An act of shaking or trembling due to cold or fear.
I couldn’t stop the shiver when I touched the icy water.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Shiver
An involuntary muscle contraction due to the body’s response to the cold.
A sudden shiver reminded me to zip up my jacket in the snowy weather.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Chill
A moderate but disagreeable degree of cold; a disagreeable sensation of coolness, accompanied with shivering.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
A sensation of cold with convulsive shaking of the body, pinched face, pale skin, and blue lips, caused by undue cooling of the body or by nervous excitement, or forming the precursor of some constitutional disturbance, as of a fever.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
A check to enthusiasm or warmth of feeling; discouragement; as, a chill comes over an assembly.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
An iron mold or portion of a mold, serving to cool rapidly, and so to harden, the surface of molten iron brought in contact with it.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
Moderately cold; tending to cause shivering; chilly; raw.
Noisome winds, and blasting vapors chill.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
Characterized by coolness of manner, feeling, etc.; lacking enthusiasm or warmth; formal; distant; as, a chill reception.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
To strike with a chill; to make chilly; to cause to shiver; to affect with cold.
When winter chilled the day.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
To check enthusiasm or warmth of feeling of; to depress; to discourage.
Every thought on God chills the gayety of his spirits.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
To produce, by sudden cooling, a change of crystallization at or near the surface of, so as to increase the hardness; said of cast iron.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
To become surface-hardened by sudden cooling while solidifying; as, some kinds of cast iron chill to a greater depth than others.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
An almost pleasurable sensation of fright;
A frisson of surprise shot through him
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
A sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
Depress or discourage;
The news of the city's surrender chilled the soldiers
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Chill
An unpleasant shivery feeling.
A sudden chill ran down my spine when I heard the eerie noise.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Chill
The act of calming down or relaxing.
I need to chill before I can discuss this calmly.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
FAQs
Does chill always refer to a physical feeling?
No, chill can also refer to a relaxed state of being or atmosphere.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Is shiver always due to cold?
No, shiver can also be due to fear or other strong emotions.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can shiver be controlled?
Shivering is generally an involuntary response and is difficult to control.
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
Is shiver used metaphorically?
Yes, shiver can be used metaphorically to describe a feeling of fear or revulsion.
Harlon Moss
Sep 23, 2023
Can chill have positive connotations?
Yes, chill can have positive connotations when referring to a relaxed or laid-back attitude or atmosphere.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can chill refer to a demeanor?
Yes, chill can describe a relaxed or nonchalant demeanor or attitude.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can you describe an environment as chill?
Yes, a chill environment typically refers to a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Can you use chill to describe a person?
Yes, describing someone as chill usually implies they are relaxed or easygoing.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Can a shiver be momentary?
Yes, a shiver can be a momentary, rapid vibration of the body.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can the phrase “a chill in the air” refer to an uneasy atmosphere?
Yes, “a chill in the air” can metaphorically refer to a sense of unease or tension in the atmosphere.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can chill mean to relax?
Yes, to chill can mean to relax or to be in a relaxed state.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Is shiver a reaction to external stimuli?
Yes, shivering is a reaction to external stimuli such as cold or emotional distress.
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
Can shiver refer to a fragment?
Yes, shiver can also mean a small fragment or splinter of an object.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Is shiver always negative?
Shiver often has negative connotations, typically associated with discomfort, but the context can change the interpretation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can you chill food?
Yes, to chill food means to make it cold by placing it in a refrigerator or cooler.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
