What does "hot" mean?
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.
Hot
/hɒt/ adj, adv, noun, verb, slang
adj, adv, noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: 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.
- Grammar: hot is listed as adj, adv, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: spicy, abandoned, ablaze, ace-high.
- Useful contrasts: chilled, chilly, cold.
- Usage evidence: It's so hot that you could cook an egg on the hood of a car.
How to use "hot"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "hot" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "hot" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "hot" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "hot" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "hot" is acting as adj, adv, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "spicy" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "hot", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 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.
- 2 Acronym of hybrid-orientation technology (“CMOS fabrication technology that uses PMOS and NMOS substrates with differing orientations”). abbreviation, acronym, alt-of, countable, uncountable
- 3 Acronym of hybrid-orientation technique, a technique that applies the technology. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of, countable, uncountable
- 4 Acronym of high-output turbo (turbocharger). abbreviation, acronym, alt-of, countable, uncountable
- 5 Acronym of high occupancy or toll lane. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of, countable, uncountable
"If a HOT lane alternative is chosen as the preferred alternative (Build Alternatives 4A, 4B. 5A, 5B, 6A, or 6B), then additional advanced HOT lane signs will need to be placed from I-80/El Camino Avenue to I-80/Truxel Road and between US-50/I-5 and US-50/SR-99 (Sac 80 PM M1.4/3.64 and SAC 50 PM L0.60/R0.20)."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Initialism of health over time: a status effect that restores health points as time passes. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To heat; to make or become hot.
- 2 To become lively or exciting.
"Turf war's hotting up."
Adjective
- 1 Relating to heat and conditions which produce it.; Having or giving off a high temperature.
"He forgot that the frying pan was hot and burned his hand."
- 2 Acronym of high occupancy or toll. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of, not-comparable
- 3 Relating to heat and conditions which produce it.; Feeling the sensation of heat, especially to the point of discomfort.
"I was so hot from being in the sun too long."
- 4 Relating to heat and conditions which produce it.; Feverish; feeling a high fever.
- 5 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."
Show 22 more definitions
- 6 Active, in use or ready for use (like a bullet or a firing range), turned on (like a microphone or camera).; Electrically charged. US, not-comparable
"a hot wire"
- 7 Active, in use or ready for use (like a bullet or a firing range), turned on (like a microphone or camera).; Radioactive. informal
- 8 Relating to excited emotions.; Easily provoked to anger. figuratively
"Be careful, he has a hot temper and may take it out on you."
- 9 Relating to excited emotions.; Very physically or sexually attractive. colloquial, figuratively
"He saw many hot girls at the concert."
- 10 Relating to excited emotions.; Sexual or sexy; involving sexual intercourse or sexual excitement. colloquial, figuratively
"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 words"
- 11 Relating to excited emotions.; Sexually aroused; randy. figuratively, slang
"Enough foreplay! You’ve gotten me so hot already!"
- 12 Relating to excited emotions.; Extremely attracted to. figuratively, slang
"hot for her English teacher"
- 13 Relating to popularity, quality, or the state of being interesting.; Very good, remarkable, exciting. informal
"He's a hot young player; we should give him a trial."
- 14 Relating to popularity, quality, or the state of being interesting.; Popular; in demand.
"This new pickup is so hot we can't keep it in stock!"
- 15 Relating to popularity, quality, or the state of being interesting.; Of great current interest; provoking current debate or controversy.
"a hot topic"
- 16 Relating to popularity, quality, or the state of being interesting.; Performing strongly; having repeated successes.
""Keep going! You're hot tonight!" urged Wally."
- 17 Relating to popularity, quality, or the state of being interesting.; Fresh; just released.
"A kid can stand in the street and sell newspapers, if the headlines are hot."
- 18 Relating to danger or risk.; 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."
- 19 Relating to danger or risk.; Characterized by police presence or activity. slang
"I wouldn't speed through here if I was you. This area is hot this time of night."
- 20 Relating to danger or risk.; Stolen. slang
"hot merchandise"
- 21 Relating to danger or risk.; Not covered by funds on account. not-comparable, slang
"I wouldn't trust him. He gave me a hot check last week."
- 22 Relating to danger or risk.; Containing drugs. slang
"The solider was discharged from the military after he pissed hot for cocaine."
- 23 Very close to finding or guessing something to be found or guessed.
"Am I warm yet? — You're hot!"
- 24 Spicy, pungent, piquant, as some chilis and other spices are.
"This kind of chili pepper is way too hot for my taste."
- 25 Loud, producing a strong electric signal for the amplifier or other sound equipment.
- 26 Used to emphasize the short duration or small quantity of something slang
"He was finished in a hot minute."
- 27 Extremely fast or with great speed. slang
"That plane's coming in hot!"
Adjective
- 1 marked by excited activity wordnet
- 2 charged or energized with electricity wordnet
- 3 having or dealing with dangerously high levels of radioactivity wordnet
- 4 of a seeker; very near to the object sought wordnet
- 5 having or showing great eagerness or enthusiasm wordnet
Show 16 more definitions
- 6 very fast; capable of quick response and great speed wordnet
- 7 made recently wordnet
- 8 very good; often used in the negative wordnet
- 9 used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning wordnet
- 10 (extended meanings, especially of psychological heat) marked by intensity or vehemence especially of passion or enthusiasm wordnet
- 11 recently stolen or smuggled wordnet
- 12 having or bringing unusually good luck wordnet
- 13 newest or most recent wordnet
- 14 very unpleasant or even dangerous wordnet
- 15 very popular or successful wordnet
- 16 sexually excited or exciting wordnet
- 17 performed or performing with unusually great skill and daring and energy wordnet
- 18 producing a burning sensation on the taste nerves wordnet
- 19 characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense wordnet
- 20 wanted by the police wordnet
- 21 (color) bold and intense wordnet
Adverb
- 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."
- 2 Rapidly, quickly.
"Whatever happened, braking into the next-to-last hairpin, a blue-sky turn called Cog Cut, Durelle went in too hot."
- 3 While shooting, while firing one's weapon(s).
"to come in hot; to go in hot"
Example
"It's so hot that you could cook an egg on the hood of a car."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "hot"?
Common synonyms include: spicy, abandoned, ablaze, ace-high, activated, afire.
How do you use "hot" in a sentence?
It's so hot that you could cook an egg on the hood of a car.
How do you pronounce "hot"?
Pronounced /hɒt/.
Etymology
From Middle English hot, hat, from Old English hāt (“hot”), from Proto-West Germanic *hait, from Proto-Germanic *haitaz (“hot”), from Proto-Indo-European *keHy- (“hot; to heat”). Cognate with Scots hate, hait (“hot”), North Frisian hiet (“hot”), Saterland Frisian heet (“hot”), West Frisian hjit (“hot”), Dutch heet (“hot”), German Low German heet (“hot”), German heiß (“hot”), Danish hed (“hot”), Swedish het (“hot”), Icelandic heitur (“hot”). Superseded non-native Middle English chaud, from Old French chaut (“hot”); and early Modern English calent, from Latin calēns (“hot”).