hot (hŏt)
adj., hot·ter, hot·test.

1. 1. Having or giving off heat; capable of burning.
   2. Being at a high temperature.
2. Being at or exhibiting a temperature that is higher than normal or desirable: a hot forehead.
3. Causing a burning sensation, as in the mouth; spicy: hot peppers; a hot curry.
4. 1. Charged or energized with electricity: a hot wire.
   2. Radioactive, especially to a dangerous degree.
5. 1. Marked by intensity of emotion; ardent or fiery: a hot temper.
   2. Having or displaying great enthusiasm; eager: hot for travel.
6. 1. Informal. Arousing intense interest, excitement, or controversy: a hot new book; a hot topic.
   2. Informal. Marked by excited activity or energy: a hot week on the stock market.
   3. Violent; raging: a hot battle.
7. Slang. Sexually excited or exciting.
8. Slang.
   1. Recently stolen: a hot car.
   2. Wanted by the police: a hot suspect.
9. Close to a successful solution or conclusion: hot on the trail.
10. Informal.
    1. Most recent; new or fresh: a hot news item; the hot fashions for fall.
    2. Currently very popular or successful: one of the hottest young talents around.
    3. Requiring immediate action or attention: a hot opportunity.
11. Slang. Very good or impressive. Often used in the negative: I'm not so hot at math.
12. Slang. Funny or absurd: told a hot one about the neighbors' dog.
13. Slang.
    1. Performing with great skill and daring: a hot drummer.
    2. Having or characterized by repeated successes: a player who is on a hot streak.
    3. Fast and responsive: a hot sports car.
    4. Unusually lucky: hot at craps.
14. Music. Of, relating to, or being an emotionally charged style of performance marked by strong rhythms and improvisation: hot jazz.
15. Bold and bright.

n. hots (hŏts)
Slang. Strong sexual attraction or desire. Used with the.

adv.

1. In a hot manner; hotly.
2. While hot: foods that are best eaten hot.

tr.v., hot·ted, hot·ting, hots.
Informal. To cause to increase in intensity or excitement. Often used with up: "His book is an exercise in the fashionable art of instant history, in which every episode is hotted up with an anecdote" (Harper's).

idioms:

hot and bothered Informal.

1. In a state of agitated excitement; flustered: all hot and bothered before the opening performance.

hot and heavy

1. InformalPassionate or intense:Interest in the new stock was hot and heavy. Passionate or intense: Interest in the new stock was hot and heavy.
2. Characterized by or engaging in amorous or sexual activity.

hot to trot Slang.

1. Sexually avid; lascivious.
2. Ready and willing; eager.

hot under the collar Informal.

1. Angry.

make it hot for Slang.

1. To make things uncomfortable or dangerous for: Don't make it hot for yourself by needlessly finding fault.

[Middle English, from Old English hāt.]

hotness hot'ness n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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