hot
hot
Pronunciation
hot /hɒt/
hot: /hɒt/
/h/ - voiceless glottal fricative
/ɒ/ - open-mid back rounded vowel
/t/ - voiceless alveolar stop
Word Form Variations
Adjective:
hot (positive)
hotter (comparative)
hottest (superlative)
Verb:
hot (base form)
hots (third-person singular simple present)
hotting (present participle)
hotted (simple past, past participle)
Noun:
hot (singular, informal)
hots (plural, informal, e.g., "the hots for someone")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Possessing a high temperature; having a significant amount of heat.
Synonyms: scorching, burning, scalding, fiery, sweltering, torrid
Antonyms: cold, cool, chilly, freezing, icy, frigid
Definition 2: Characterized by strong, often passionate, emotion or intensity; having a strong flavor, especially spicy.
Synonyms (emotion): passionate, intense, fervent, heated, fiery, ardent
Antonyms (emotion): calm, placid, cool, dispassionate, indifferent
Synonyms (spicy): piquant, zesty, pungent, peppery, spicy
Antonyms (spicy): mild, bland, insipid, unseasoned
Definition 3: (Informal) Very popular, fashionable, or successful at a particular time.
Synonyms: trendy, popular, in vogue, fashionable, sought-after, in demand
Antonyms: unpopular, outdated, unfashionable, passé, obsolete
Definition 4: (Informal) Excellent, highly skilled, or very impressive.
Synonyms: superb, outstanding, excellent, brilliant, impressive, masterful
Antonyms: mediocre, poor, unexceptional, unimpressive, amateurish
Verb
Definition 1: To make something hot or to become hot.
Synonyms: heat, warm, fire up, raise the temperature of, become warm
Antonyms: cool, chill, refrigerate, freeze
Noun
Definition 1: (Informal, often plural "the hots") A strong feeling of sexual attraction or desire.
Synonyms: lust, desire, passion, attraction, infatuation
Antonyms: repulsion, disinterest, aversion, dislike
Definition 2: (Informal) A state of urgency or difficulty. (Often in phrases like "in hot water").
Synonyms: trouble, difficulty, predicament, bind, jam
Antonyms: ease, comfort, advantage, smooth sailing
Examples of Use
Books:
"The air was hot and still, heavy with the scent of jasmine and impending rain." (Excerpt from a fictional novel, precise title and author unknown but representative of common descriptive language)
"In Hot Pursuit: The Science and Culture of the Modern Firefighter" (Example of a non-fiction book title using "hot" to imply intensity and urgency).
Newspapers:
"Economists debate whether the housing market is still hot, with prices continuing to rise in major cities." (The New York Times) - Here, "hot" refers to a booming or highly active market.
"Local restaurant's new spicy chicken sandwich is a hot favorite among customers." (Daily Nation) - "Hot" used for both temperature/spiciness and popularity.
"Authorities issue a hot weather advisory as temperatures are expected to soar over the weekend." (The Guardian) - "Hot" directly refers to high temperature.
Online Publications:
"Why is everyone talking about this new show? It's the hottest series on streaming right now!" (From a TV review on Vulture.com) - "Hottest" indicates peak popularity.
"Our guide to the hottest cybersecurity trends for 2025." (From TechCrunch.com) - "Hottest" implies cutting-edge or most relevant.
"Recipe: How to make a hot toddy for a cold night." (From Food52.com) - "Hot" refers to the temperature of the drink.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Music: "I've got the hots for you, baby." (Lyric from countless popular songs, e.g., "I Got The Hots For You" by The Coasters) - "Hots" indicates strong romantic or sexual attraction.
Film: "Some Like It Hot." (Title of a classic 1959 film) - Here, "hot" has multiple interpretations, including attractive, exciting, and perhaps even dangerous.
Television: "That's hot!" (A catchphrase popularized by Paris Hilton on "The Simple Life") - Used to express approval, indicating something is trendy, desirable, or appealing.
Video Games: "The player found themselves in hot pursuit of the enemy agent through the crowded streets." (Description in a video game's narrative or mission brief, e.g., from Grand Theft Auto series) - "Hot" signifies intense or urgent pursuit.
Podcasts: "Today on the show, we're discussing the hot button issues facing the nation." (From a political commentary podcast, e.g., NPR's Up First) - "Hot button" refers to controversial or highly debated topics.
General Public Discourse:
"Wow, it's really hot today, isn't it? I can barely breathe." (Everyday conversation about weather)
"Did you hear about the new restaurant downtown? It's supposed to be really hot right now, impossible to get a reservation." (Casual conversation about popular establishments)
"She's a hot commodity in the job market right now; everyone wants to hire her." (Discussion about someone in high demand)
"Be careful, that coffee is still hot." (Warning given in daily life)
"He's in hot water with his boss after missing that deadline." (Idiomatic expression meaning in trouble)
10 Famous Quotes Using Hot
"Some like it hot." (Title of the 1959 film starring Marilyn Monroe)
"What we anticipate seldom occurs: what we least expected generally happens." (A variation of a quote often attributed to Mark Twain, though the precise wording of a "hot" market or similar concept isn't his, the idea of unexpected "hot" events is common.)
"Keep cool; but when you get hot, you can make things sizzle." (Attributed to Dale Carnegie)
"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." (Commonly attributed to Harry S. Truman)
"A hot mind makes a hot body." (Often attributed to the concept of fitness and mental well-being)
"The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality." (Attributed to Dante Alighieri, from Inferno)
"Strike while the iron is hot." (Proverb)
"My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable, and I'm just ferocious. I want to eat his children. Praise be to Allah!" (A famous, aggressive quote by Mike Tyson, often associated with a "hot" or intense personality)
"It's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes." (From the song "Hot in Herre" by Nelly)
"A hot dog at the ball park is better than steak at the Ritz." (Attributed to Humphrey Bogart)
Etymology
The word "hot" has a very old and interesting history, tracing its roots back thousands of years!
Imagine a very, very old language that was spoken in Europe and parts of Asia, long before English even existed. Linguists call this language Proto-Indo-European. The word "hot" likely comes from a sound in that ancient language, something like "*keHy-" which meant "hot" or "to heat."
From there, it evolved into Proto-Germanic, an ancestor of languages like English, German, and Dutch. In Proto-Germanic, the word was "*haitaz," still carrying that meaning of "hot" or having a high temperature.
Then, around the Old English period (before 1150 AD), it became "hāt" in English. At this point, its primary meaning was exactly what we understand as "hot" today – referring to something having a high temperature, like the sun, fire, or heated objects. It was also used to describe things that were "fervent," "fierce," or "intense." So, if someone was "hāt," they might have been passionate or even angry.
Over time, as English continued to change, "hāt" became the "hot" we know. While the pronunciation changed a bit, the core meaning of high temperature has stuck around for centuries, and new, more figurative meanings (like being popular or attractive) developed later on.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hot
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "hot":
Hot potato: A controversial or difficult issue that no one wants to deal with.
In hot water: In trouble or disgrace.
Hot on the trail: Close to finding or catching something or someone.
Strike while the iron is hot: To take advantage of an opportunity at the best possible time.
Hot topic: A subject that is currently popular or widely discussed.
Hot ticket: Something that is in high demand or very popular, often an event or item.
Hot under the collar: Angry or annoyed.
Blow hot and cold: To change one's mind frequently about something; to be inconsistent.
Hot air: Empty talk; boasting or exaggerated statements that lack substance.
Hot pursuit: An immediate and active chase.
Hot button issue: A controversial or sensitive topic that evokes strong emotions.
Not a hope in hell: (Though not directly "hot," "hell" is often associated with heat and implies no chance whatsoever, similar to "hot chance" meaning slim chance)
Cooked to a crisp: (Using a synonym for hot's effect, implying completely done or destroyed by heat)
Blazing fury: (Using a synonym for hot's intensity, implying intense anger)
Red-hot: Extremely hot; very excited or enthusiastic; very popular.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hot from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
