From Middle English hot, hoot, from Old English hāt (“hot”), from Proto-West Germanic *hait, from Proto-Germanic *haitaz (“hot”), from Proto-Indo-European *keHy- (“to heat; to become hot”). Cognates Cognate with Yola hoat, hoate, hote (“hot”), West Frisian hjit, hyt (“hot”), Bavarian hoaß (“hot”), Central Franconian heeß (“hot”), Dutch heet (“hot”), German heiss, heiß, heyß (“hot”), Vilamovian haas, haes, hȧś, hǡs (“hot”), Yiddish הייס (heys, “hot”), Danish hed (“hot”), Faroese and Icelandic heitur (“hot”), Norwegian Bokmål and Swedish het (“hot”); also Lithuanian kaitra (“heat”). Related to heat. Superseded non-native Middle English chaud, from Old French chaut (“hot”); and early Modern English calent, from Latin calēns (“hot”).
› Relating to heat and conditions which produce it.
1
Of an object Having or giving off a high temperature.
He forgot that the frying pan was hot and burned his hand.
It is too hot to be outside.
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It is hotter in summer than in winter.
It is roasting hot in here. Crack a window, please.
There was also hairdressing: hairdressing, too, really was hairdressing in those times — no running a comb through it and that was that. It was curled, frizzed, waved, put in curlers overnight, waved with hot tongs;[…].1977, Agatha Christie, chapter 4, in An Autobiography, part II, London: Collins, →ISBN:
“Everybody is interested in extremes – the hottest, the wettest, the windiest – so creating a database of professionally verified records is useful in that fact alone,” says Randall Cerveny from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).2017 June 15, Hiufu Wong, “11 extreme weather records”, in CNN:
2
Of a person or animal Feeling the sensation of heat, especially to the point of discomfort.
I was so hot from being in the sun too long.
Aren't you hot with that thick coat on?
3
Feverish; feeling a high fever.
4
Active, in use or ready for use (like a bullet or a firing range), turned on (like a microphone or camera).
The microphone was hot and the show was on the air.2004, Phillip Moore, Sealed for a Purpose, page 213:
So I just blurted out, "This is really a fucking way to make a living, huh?" […] The microphone was hot, and I knew I was in trouble. The radio management came to my house and suspended me immediately.2013, Larry Munson, Tony Barnhart, From Herschel to a Hobnail Boot: The Life and Times of Larry Munson, Triumph Books, →ISBN, page 52:
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I leaned forward, still ogling, thinking the camera was off me until the end of the song, but then on went the little red light that meant my camera was hot ...2014, Don Carpenter, The Hollywood Trilogy: A Couple of Comedians, The True Story of Jody McKeegan, and Turnaround, Catapult, →ISBN:
"Your range is hot, corporal. Wind unchanged. You've got your dope. Fire at will," Hacksaw said, snapping the camera as fast as the motor drive could run ...2017, Charles Henderson, Terminal Impact, Penguin, →ISBN, page 8:
I join the space-to-ground channel to warn Terry that his mic is hot and that everyone with an internet connection or tuned to NASA TV can hear every word ...2017, Scott Kelly, Endurance: My Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery, Vintage, →ISBN:
"The range is hot, chief. Fire at will." Alex says with a smile as he steps back and puts his shooting ear muffs on. "I'm going to shoot, major."2020, A.J. Stone, Project Titan, Page Publishing Inc, →ISBN:
Colloquial, Figuratively Sexual or sexy; involving sexual intercourse or sexual excitement.
There was only one problem. Paul was HIV positive. And just a few weeks after his hot encounter with Max, a letter arrived for him, containing some legalese about HIV infection being a criminal act, with a few chilling words2010, Rick R. Reed, Moving Toward The Light, →ISBN, page 50:
He's a hot young player; we should give him a trial.
14
Popular; in demand.
This new pickup is so hot we can't keep it in stock!
And in 1975 one of the hottest Austin ensembles was the posthippie western swing revivalist group known as Asleep at the Wheel.2010, Andy Bradley, Roger Wood, House of Hits, page 206:
15
Of great current interest; provoking current debate or controversy.
a hot topic
The bluebloods of golf began pouring into the sweltering nation’s capital yesterday for the 64th U.S. Open championship, and the hottest topic was not Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus, but Champagne Tony Lema.1964 June 16, “All Eyes On Lema At U.S. Open This Week”, in The Indianapolis Star, volume 62, number 11, Indianapolis, Ind., page 22:
16
Performing strongly; having repeated successes.
"Keep going! You're hot tonight!" urged Wally.1938, Harold M. Sherman, "Shooting Stars," Boys' Life (March 1938), Published by Boy Scouts of America, p.5
The ball lands on the fairway, just a couple of yards in front of the green. "Nice shot Sarah! You're hot today!" Jenny says.2002, Peter Krause, Andy King, Play-By-Play Golf, First Avenue Editions, page 55:
17
Fresh; just released.
A kid can stand in the street and sell newspapers, if the headlines are hot.1960, Super Market Institute, Super Markets of the Sixties: Findings, recommendations.- v.2. The plans and sketches, page 30:
Some of these publications show signs of hasty production, indicating that they were written while the news was hot.2000, David Cressy, Travesties and transgressions in Tudor and Stuart England: tales of discord and dissension, Oxford University Press, page 34:
Uncomfortable, difficult to deal with; awkward, dangerous, unpleasant.
The car sped along. She kept her foot permanently on the accelerator, and took every corner at an acute angle. Two motorists we passed looked out of their windows outraged as she swept by, and one pedestrian in a lane waved his stick at her. I felt rather hot for her. She did not seem to notice though. I crouched lower in my seat.1938, Daphne de Maurier, Rebecca:
I've been living here a few weeks and it's starting to get a little hot for me … I've written myself out of several states in the last six years.1997, David Wojnarowicz with Amy Scholder, The Waterfront Journals:
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The police are looking for an anarchist who answers my description, seen leaving the house the day before the fire; there was an explosion[…]So what with one thing and another, His Grace thinks the country a little hot for me now1999, Sam Llewellyn, The shadow in the sands, page 68:
"Things are a little hot for us in San Francisco. We'll burn the vardo at Drake's Bay and then head to your place." "Things are hot, so you're heading to my place?" "Hot's not a big deal. Just a matter of jurisdiction and time.2004, Meredith Blevins, The Hummingbird Wizard, page 197:
I'd also thought things might have gotten a little hot for him in Atlantic City, so he'd moved West to its bigger, badder cousin, where he wasn't as well known2008, Charlaine Harris with Toni L. P. Kelner, Wolfsbane and Mistletoe, page 287:
20
Slang Characterized by police presence or activity.
I wouldn't speed through here if I was you. This area is hot this time of night.
The camera was hot. Buying a hot camera was a parole violation.2010, Robert Eversz, Burning Garbo: A Nina Zero Novel, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN, page 17:
22
Slang, Of a draft or check Not covered by funds on account.
I wouldn't trust him. He gave me a hot check last week.
The solider was discharged from the military after he pissed hot for cocaine.
24
Very close to finding or guessing something to be found or guessed.
Am I warm yet? — You're hot!
He was hot on her tail.
25
Of food Spicy, pungent, piquant, as some chilis and other spices are.
This kind of chili pepper is way too hot for my taste.
26
Loud, producing a strong electric signal for the amplifier or other sound equipment.
27
Slang Used to emphasize the short duration or small quantity of something
He was finished in a hot minute.
I dated him for a hot second.
28
Slang, Of a vehicle or aircraft Extremely fast or with great speed.
That plane's coming in hot!
a hot pass
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Brace yourselves; we're going in a little hot!2007 September 25, Bungie, Halo 3, spoken by Marcus Stacker (Pete Stacker), Microsoft Game Studios, Xbox 360, level/area: The Covenant:
From Middle English hot, hoot, from Old English hāt (“hot”), from Proto-West Germanic *hait, from Proto-Germanic *haitaz (“hot”), from Proto-Indo-European *keHy- (“to heat; to become hot”). Cognates Cognate with Yola hoat, hoate, hote (“hot”), West Frisian hjit, hyt (“hot”), Bavarian hoaß (“hot”), Central Franconian heeß (“hot”), Dutch heet (“hot”), German heiss, heiß, heyß (“hot”), Vilamovian haas, haes, hȧś, hǡs (“hot”), Yiddish הייס (heys, “hot”), Danish hed (“hot”), Faroese and Icelandic heitur (“hot”), Norwegian Bokmål and Swedish het (“hot”); also Lithuanian kaitra (“heat”). Related to heat. Superseded non-native Middle English chaud, from Old French chaut (“hot”); and early Modern English calent, from Latin calēns (“hot”).
1
Hotly; at a high temperature.
Oak burns hot and lasts a long time. Its smoke is a medium to heavy flavor but not too overpowering. It leaves a buttersmooth, nutty finish.2013, Ted Reader, Gastro Grilling: Fired-up Recipes To Grill Great Everyday Meals, Penguin Canada, →ISBN:
2
Rapidly, quickly.
Whatever happened, braking into the next-to-last hairpin, a blue-sky turn called Cog Cut, Durelle went in too hot.1994, Cycle World Magazine, page 74:
He went in hotter than he could have, the Cforce snugging him into the bucket seat. At the first switchback, there was already a hundred-foot drop-off […]2009, Dan Vining, Among the Living, Penguin, →ISBN:
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He rolled over on his belly and raised up enough to see the second chopper coming in hotter, more deliberately than the first. Hollister grabbed Jrae by the ...2014, Dennis Foley, Take Back the Night: A Novel of Vietnam, Open Road Media, →ISBN:
They were coming in hotter than Dash liked, nose down toward the watery surface […]2016, Patrick Carman, Omega Rising, Random House Books for Young Readers, →ISBN, page 26:
“When landing on dirt, gravel, or pavement, you'll be coming in hotter, faster than a runway made of grass, so try and keep that in mind.2019, David W. Nelson, Ghost Squadron: Wwii Teenage Pilot, →ISBN:
"You're coming in hotter than we'd like." "Roger that, Huygens, increasing reverse thrust by 20%."2021, Christine D. Shuck, G581: Mars:
3
While shooting, while firing one's weapon(s).
to come in hot; to go in hot
We would pop over the riverbank and come down hot (shooting) on a designated target. […] We started rolling in hot with rockets, then suddenly we started taking fire from the […]2015, Dave Barr, Four Flags, The Odyssey of a Professional Soldier: Part 1: US Marine Corps Vietnam 1969-72, Israeli Defence Force 1975-77, Helion and Company, →ISBN, page 121:
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"Shakedown is rolling in hot in Nakhoney right now. You're just in time. They've been getting shot at and are in overwatch for India 21 patrolling," […]2016, Stephen Robertson CD BA ATPL, Go for Shakedown, Xlibris Corporation, →ISBN:
hot
verb
Etymology
From Middle English hot, hoot, from Old English hāt (“hot”), from Proto-West Germanic *hait, from Proto-Germanic *haitaz (“hot”), from Proto-Indo-European *keHy- (“to heat; to become hot”). Cognates Cognate with Yola hoat, hoate, hote (“hot”), West Frisian hjit, hyt (“hot”), Bavarian hoaß (“hot”), Central Franconian heeß (“hot”), Dutch heet (“hot”), German heiss, heiß, heyß (“hot”), Vilamovian haas, haes, hȧś, hǡs (“hot”), Yiddish הייס (heys, “hot”), Danish hed (“hot”), Faroese and Icelandic heitur (“hot”), Norwegian Bokmål and Swedish het (“hot”); also Lithuanian kaitra (“heat”). Related to heat. Superseded non-native Middle English chaud, from Old French chaut (“hot”); and early Modern English calent, from Latin calēns (“hot”).
1
To heat; to make or become hot.
2
To become lively or exciting.
Turf war's hotting up.2018, “Clean Slate”, in Wentworth:
hot
noun
Etymology
From Middle English hot, hoot, from Old English hāt (“hot”), from Proto-West Germanic *hait, from Proto-Germanic *haitaz (“hot”), from Proto-Indo-European *keHy- (“to heat; to become hot”). Cognates Cognate with Yola hoat, hoate, hote (“hot”), West Frisian hjit, hyt (“hot”), Bavarian hoaß (“hot”), Central Franconian heeß (“hot”), Dutch heet (“hot”), German heiss, heiß, heyß (“hot”), Vilamovian haas, haes, hȧś, hǡs (“hot”), Yiddish הייס (heys, “hot”), Danish hed (“hot”), Faroese and Icelandic heitur (“hot”), Norwegian Bokmål and Swedish het (“hot”); also Lithuanian kaitra (“heat”). Related to heat. Superseded non-native Middle English chaud, from Old French chaut (“hot”); and early Modern English calent, from Latin calēns (“hot”).
1
A hot meal, usually in the phrase "three hots" (i.e. three hot meals per day) or derivations such as three hots and a cot.