Definition of "hot"

Relating to heat and conditions which produce it.

1. (of an object) Having or giving off a high temperature.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • 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

2. (of a person or animal) Feeling the sensation of heat, especially to the point of discomfort.  examples

3. Feverish.  examples

Active, in use or ready for use (like a bullet or a firing range), turned on (like a microphone or camera).  quotations

1. (US, not comparable) Electrically charged.  examples

2. (informal) Radioactive.  examples

(figurative) Relating to excited emotions.

1. (of a temper) Easily provoked to anger.  examples

2. (colloquial, of a person) Very physically and/or sexually attractive.  examples

3. (colloquial) Sexual or sexy; involving sexual intercourse or sexual excitement.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • 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

     2010, Rick R. Reed, Moving Toward The Light‎, page 50

4. (slang) Sexually aroused; randy.

5. (slang, with for) Extremely attracted to.

Relating to popularity, quality, or the state of being interesting.

1. (informal) Very good, remarkable, exciting.  examples

2. Popular; in demand.  examples

3. Of great current interest; provoking current debate or controversy.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • 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

4. Performing strongly; having repeated successes.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • "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

5. Fresh; just released.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • 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

Relating to danger or risk.

1. Uncomfortable, difficult to deal with; awkward, dangerous, unpleasant.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • 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

   • 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 now

     1999, 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 known

     2008, Charlaine Harris with Toni L. P. Kelner, Wolfsbane and Mistletoe, page 287

2. (slang) Characterized by police presence or activity.

3. (slang) Stolen.  quotations

   Quotations

   • The camera was hot. Buying a hot camera was a parole violation.

     2010, Robert Eversz, Burning Garbo: A Nina Zero Novel, Simon and Schuster, page 17

4. (slang, of a draft/check) Not covered by funds on account.

Very close to finding or guessing something to be found or guessed.  examples

(of food) Spicy, pungent, piquant, as some chilis and other spices are.  examples

(of an electric musical instrument) Loud, producing a strong electric signal for the amplifier.  examples

(slang) Used to emphasize the short duration or small quantity of something

(slang, of a vehicle or aircraft) Extremely fast or with great speed.  quotations

Hotly, at a high temperature.  quotations  examples

Rapidly, quickly.  quotations  examples

(especially in the phrase "come in hot", "go in hot") While shooting, while firing one's weapon(s).  quotations  examples

(with up) To heat; to make or become hot.  examples

(with up) To become lively or exciting.  quotations  examples