hot
/hɒt/- 1.
Having a high temperature. It can describe weather, food, drinks, or objects that feel warm or burn the skin.
- The tea is too hot.
- It was a hot afternoon.
- Be careful: the plate is hot.
- 2.
Feeling angry, very excited, or hard to deal with in an emotional way. It can also mean active or popular in a situation.
- She was hot with anger.
- The topic is hot right now.
- Sales are hot this season.
- 3.
Sexually attractive. This use is informal and common in speech, but not suitable for all settings.
- He thinks the actor is hot.
- That was a hot outfit.
- She looked hot at the party.
- 4.
Moving or happening very quickly and successfully, especially in sports or business.
- They are on a hot streak.
- The team is hot today.
- That app became hot overnight.
Adinary Nuance
Hot is stronger and more direct than warm. It usually suggests a high temperature, while warm is milder and more comfortable. In slang, hot can mean very attractive or very popular, but cool often has a positive meaning in a different way. It is also less formal than words like heated or angry when used for emotions.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- nóng
- Spanish
- caliente
- Chinese
- 热的
- Japanese
- 熱い
- Korean
- 뜨거운
Etymology
Old English hado, later hote, from Germanic roots meaning 'having heat'. The word has kept its main sense for many centuries, then gained slang and figurative uses.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between hot and warm?
- Hot means a higher temperature. Warm means pleasant, mild heat.
- Is hot a formal word?
- Yes, for temperature it is common in all settings. For slang meanings, it is informal.
- Can hot mean attractive?
- Yes. In informal English, hot can mean sexually attractive.
- How do I use hot in business English?
- Use it for market trends, products, or topics, like 'hot demand' or 'a hot market'.