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chillón means shrill / gaudy — a common term in Funny Words. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: October 6, 2025

😆 Funny Words

chillón

adjective • /[chi-LLON]/

shrill / gaudy

Example:

Lleva colores chillones a todas partes.

He wears gaudy colors everywhere.

🧠 What does chillón mean?

Chillón is a versatile Spanish adjective that can describe both sounds and colors. When referring to sound, it means "shrill," "piercing," or "high-pitched." Think of a loud, unpleasant noise that makes you wince. When referring to colors, it means "gaudy," "loud," or "garish." It describes colors that are excessively bright, clashing, or in poor taste.

📚 Extra examples

  • El vestido chillón de la señora llamó la atención de todos.
    The woman's gaudy dress caught everyone's attention.
  • El silbato del árbitro era tan chillón que me dolían los oídos.
    The referee's whistle was so shrill that my ears hurt.
  • ¡Qué color tan chillón! No combina con nada.
    What a gaudy color! It doesn't match anything.
  • La música chillona del carnaval me dio dolor de cabeza.
    The shrill music of the carnival gave me a headache.
  • Pintó la casa de un amarillo chillón que se veía a kilómetros.
    He painted the house a gaudy yellow that could be seen for miles.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'chillón' comes from the verb 'chillar,' which means 'to shriek' or 'to scream.' So, something 'chillón' is literally something that makes you want to shriek (because it's so loud or so brightly colored)!

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "chillón"

Synonyms: estridente, agudo, llamativo, ostentoso
Opposites: suave, discreto, apagado, sobrio

🔍 See more funny words words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'shrill / gaudy' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for both 'shrill' and 'gaudy' is 'chillón'.
How do you pronounce 'chillón' in Spanish?
It's pronounced chee-YOHN, with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'chillón' in a sentence?
You can use 'chillón' before or after the noun it describes. For example: 'Un pájaro chillón' (a shrill bird) or 'Una camisa chillona' (a gaudy shirt).
What is the English translation of 'chillón'?
It translates to 'shrill' when referring to sounds, and 'gaudy' or 'garish' when referring to colors.
Does 'chillón' change for gender and number?
Yes, it agrees with the noun it modifies. For example: 'chillón' (masculine singular), 'chillona' (feminine singular), 'chillones' (masculine plural), 'chillonas' (feminine plural).
Is 'chillón' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, it's a relatively common word used in both formal and informal conversations.
Does 'chillón' have slang or double meanings?
While it doesn't have any direct slang meanings, using 'chillón' to describe someone's appearance can be seen as a criticism.
Is 'chillón' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and usage are generally consistent across both regions.

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