hotter
hotter — verb
- hotterpresent simple I / you / we / they
- hotters3rd person singular
- hottering-ing form
- hotteredpast simple
1. to raise the temperature of something until it becomes hot, or to become hotter
to raise the temperature of something until it becomes hot, or to become hotter after being cool or at room temperature.
Trang hotted the soup on the stove while her children set the table for dinner.
transitive: hot + object (food/drink)
The afternoon sun hotted up the sand on the beach very quickly.
transitive: hotted up + object (natural heat source)
Mira told her students to hot up the glue guns before starting the art project.
The old engine hotted up quickly after Valentina turned the ignition key.
Lotte hotted the milk in a saucepan over a low flame for her morning coffee.
- cool
to lower the temperature of something
文法句型
hot + object (make hot)
hot + no object (become hot)
用法筆記
Often used with 'up' (hot up) in informal British English. The past tense is 'hotted' and the present participle is 'hotting'. This verb is less common than 'heat' or 'warm'.
常見錯誤
hotter — noun
1. A time of day or season when the temperature is much higher than usual, such as
A time of day or season when the temperature is much higher than usual, such as the middle of a hot afternoon or a heatwave.
The mail carrier tries to finish deliveries before the hotter of the afternoon sets in.
article + hotter + of [time period]
In the tropics, the hotter of the day begins around eleven in the morning.
Nora prefers to do her gardening work after the hotter of midday has passed.
During the hotter of summer, the elderly residents spend most of their time indoors.
The construction team begins work at sunrise to avoid the hotter of the afternoon.
- cool
Refers to a period of lower temperature
用法筆記
Usually appears in the pattern 'the hotter of [time period]' to refer to the hottest part of that period.
2. A person, animal, or object that is hot, for example freshly cooked food or an a
A person, animal, or object that is hot, for example freshly cooked food or an animal that has just finished exercising.
The waiter set the hotter of the two plates in front of Elise.
the hotter of [number] [nouns]
After the race, the hotter among the horses was led to the shade.
Putri carefully carried the hotter of the baking trays to the cooling rack.
The hotter among the freshly baked breads was still steaming on the counter.
Vinicius chose the hotter of the two bowls of soup on that cold evening.
- hot one
More natural in casual speech; 'pass me the hot one' rather than 'pass me the hotter'
用法筆記
Often used in a comparative construction 'the hotter of the two [nouns]' or 'the hotter among [group]'. Less common in everyday conversation.
3. A state of strong physical desire or sexual arousal between people.
A state of strong physical desire or sexual arousal between people.
The hotter of passion drove the two lovers into each other's arms.
the hotter of [emotion] — literary register
In the novel, the hotter between the main characters builds slowly over several chapters.
Ryo felt the hotter rise in his chest each time Layla entered the room.
The hotter of their desire was clear in the way they looked at each other.
Poets have written about the hotter of romantic love for centuries.
- coldness
Lack of emotional or sexual warmth
- indifference
Complete lack of desire or interest
用法筆記
Typically found in literary or formal writing rather than everyday speech. Distinguish from sense 1 (PERIOD OF HEAT) which refers literally to temperature, not emotion.
hotter — adjective
- hotterpositive
- hotterercomparative
- hotterestsuperlative
1. having a temperature that is noticeably above what is normal or feels comfortabl
having a temperature that is noticeably above what is normal or feels comfortable
Rohan waited for the bowl of soup to cool down because it was still too hot to eat.
too + adjective + to-infinitive
Sophia turned on the air conditioner when the office felt hotter than usual that afternoon.
The metal tray from the oven was so hot that Theo used two gloves to carry it.
During summer the pavement gets so hot that children cannot walk on it without shoes.
The water from the kitchen tap finally felt hot enough for Hao to make green tea.
2. having enough heat to cause pain or injury to the skin when touched
having enough heat to cause pain or injury to the skin when touched
Mert warned the children to stay away from the hot barbecue grill in the yard.
collocation: hot + grill / stove / iron / surface
Dewi touched the metal railing and pulled her hand back because it was burning hot.
The hot oil in the frying pan splashed onto the chef's arm and left a red mark.
The nurse used a thick towel to grab the scalding hot pipe near the boiler.
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (HIGH TEMPERATURE), this sense is only used for objects or substances hot enough to cause physical injury — not for weather, rooms, or comfortable warmth.
常見錯誤
3. having a taste that makes your tongue or mouth feel as if it is burning, like th
having a taste that makes your tongue or mouth feel as if it is burning, like the taste of chili or pepper
Mathieu ordered the chicken curry at the Thai restaurant and was surprised by how hot it was.
Ayana does not like hot food very much, so she always asks for mild salsa with her tacos.
contrast: hot vs mild
The cook added fresh green chili peppers to the sauce to make it even hotter for the guests.
This hot sauce is made from special peppers that grow in a small village in Mexico.
用法筆記
Only used for food and drink. The equivalent in Taiwan Mandarin is clearly 辣, not the temperature word 熱. Many learners confuse the English word 'hot' between temperature and spiciness.
常見錯誤
4. extremely bright and intense in colour, used especially for warm tones like red,
extremely bright and intense in colour, used especially for warm tones like red, orange, pink, and yellow that remind you of fire or the sun
Tamar painted the front door a hot pink colour that everyone in the street noticed.
collocation: hot + colour name (pink / red / orange / yellow)
The sunset filled the sky with hot orange and red streaks above the dark ocean.
Andrés wore a hot yellow shirt to the race so his friends could spot him easily.
The artist used hot reds and golds to show the intense heat of the desert in the painting.
用法筆記
Describes colours that are intense and striking. This sense is mainly used with warm hues (red, pink, orange, yellow) and rarely with cool colours like blue or green.
常見錯誤
5. involving strong feelings of anger, determination, or aggression; done with grea
involving strong feelings of anger, determination, or aggression; done with great force and energy
The two senators had a hot argument about tax policy that lasted for over an hour.
collocation: hot + argument / debate / battle / fight
The competition for the top prize grew hotter with every new round of the game.
The manager's voice was hot with anger when she found out about the missing money.
Zola gave a hot speech at the town meeting that made the crowd stand and cheer.
用法筆記
Commonly paired with nouns like 'argument,' 'debate,' 'battle,' 'competition,' 'pursuit,' or 'anger.' This sense describes outward intensity, not private feelings alone. Distinguish from sense 11 (HOT TOPIC) which refers to controversial issues, not emotional intensity in conflict.
常見錯誤
6. sexually attractive; feeling or showing strong sexual desire
sexually attractive; feeling or showing strong sexual desire
Anya felt a hot thrill every time she thought about meeting her new partner again.
A fashion magazine named the young actor the hottest rising star of the year.
superlative: hottest + noun (for attractiveness)
The librarian whispered something hot in her partner's ear at the dinner party.
The movie included a love scene that the studio considered too hot for daytime television.
- sexy
the closest synonym; equally informal
- attractive
broader meaning; includes general appeal beyond sexual
- desirable
more formal; focuses on being wanted by others
- unattractive
not appealing to the senses; direct opposite
- frigid
lacking sexual desire; can be offensive if used about a person
用法筆記
Informal register. Very common in entertainment media, fashion, and casual conversation. Can sound inappropriate in formal or professional settings.
常見錯誤
7. feeling a strong desire to do or take part in something, with great excitement a
feeling a strong desire to do or take part in something, with great excitement and energy.
The children were hot to try the new waterslide at the community pool.
hot + to + infinitive — eager to do something
Diego is a hot theatre fan who never misses a single Broadway show.
The young reporters were hot for a story that would make a big difference.
After hearing about the charity run, Soo-jin went hot into the fundraising effort.
A group of hot volunteers showed up at dawn to clean the riverbank.
- eager
the most common neutral synonym, used in all registers
- keen
more common in British English; suggests active enthusiasm
- enthusiastic
slightly more formal; focuses on positive excitement
- indifferent
showing no interest or enthusiasm
- apathetic
lacking any emotional energy or concern
文法句型
hot + to + verb
hot + for + noun
hot + [noun] + fan
用法筆記
Often followed by 'to + infinitive' or 'for + noun phrase'. The pattern 'a hot [noun] fan' is a fixed expression for an enthusiastic devotee.
常見錯誤
8. describing music, especially jazz, blues, or rock, that is played with intense e
describing music, especially jazz, blues, or rock, that is played with intense emotional energy and a strong, driving rhythm.
The jazz band played a hot set that had the whole crowd dancing.
hot + [music] — emotionally intense performance
Clara had never heard such hot blues guitar until she visited the club in New Orleans.
When the saxophonist joined in, the music grew hotter and the audience cheered loudly.
Critics praised the album for its hot, rhythmic arrangements and bold solos.
- mellow
soft, relaxed, and gentle in style
文法句型
hot + [music noun]
用法筆記
This sense is mostly associated with jazz and blues from the early-to-mid 20th century, though it is also used for any rhythmically powerful live music.
9. very recent and often exciting or interesting; the latest version or piece of in
very recent and often exciting or interesting; the latest version or piece of information available.
The hottest fashion trend this season is bright yellow handbags.
the hottest [noun] — the most fashionable
Kwame could not wait to read the hot new novel by his favourite author.
This is hot news, so the station is broadcasting it right now without delay.
All the tech bloggers are talking about the hot new smartphone from Seoul.
A hot rumour spread through the office before anyone could check the facts.
文法句型
hot + new + [noun]
hot + [noun]
用法筆記
Commonly paired with 'new' ('hot new [something]') for emphasis. 'Hot news' is a fixed phrase used in journalism.
常見錯誤
10. very close to finding the person, thing, or answer you are looking for in a sear
very close to finding the person, thing, or answer you are looking for in a search, game, or investigation.
You are getting hot — the hidden prize is under the red cushion.
get hot / getting hot — close to finding something
The detective knew she was hot on the trail of the stolen painting.
hot on the trail — making progress in an investigation
Players shouted 'You are hot!' as Omar moved closer to the buried box.
During the treasure hunt, the clues led the children hotter and hotter toward the final spot.
- cold
far from the target in a search or guessing game
文法句型
get hot
hot on the trail
用法筆記
The opposite of 'cold' in guessing games. 'Hot on the trail' is a fixed idiomatic phrase used in detective work.
11. creating strong arguments or lively disagreement; causing intense public discuss
creating strong arguments or lively disagreement; causing intense public discussion or debate.
Immigration reform is a hot topic in this year's election campaign.
hot topic — subject that people argue about
The senator's comments on tax policy became a hot issue overnight.
Climate change remains a hotly debated subject in the media and in schools.
The school board avoided the hot question of whether to ban smartphone use.
When the video went viral, it became too hot for the local news team to ignore.
- controversial
more formal and widely used in both spoken and written English
- contentious
more formal; emphasizes the likelihood of causing an argument
- undisputed
not questioned or argued about
- boring
informal; uninteresting and unlikely to spark discussion
文法句型
hot + [noun] (topic, issue, subject)
hotly + [past participle]
用法筆記
Often used in journalism and public discourse. 'Hotly' as an adverb ('hotly debated', 'hotly contested') is very common with this sense.
常見錯誤
12. winning or succeeding because of good luck or favourable chance rather than skil
winning or succeeding because of good luck or favourable chance rather than skill, especially in games such as poker, dice, or raffles where the outcome depends on luck.
Ming rolled double sixes three turns in a row and said the dice felt hot tonight.
hot = lucky (gambling / games of chance)
Amara felt hot at the poker table and won three hands in a row without a loss.
Fatima's number was called twice at the charity raffle, and people joked she was too hot to lose.
Jorge kept guessing the right answer on the quiz show and the host said he was on a hot streak.
- cold
experiencing repeated bad luck in games of chance
文法句型
hot streak
hot hand
on a hot + [noun]
用法筆記
Describes luck in games where chance plays a major role (cards, dice, raffles, lotteries). Distinguish from sense 13 (ON A ROLL) which describes peak performance driven by skill, practice, and focus rather than luck.
常見錯誤
13. performing at the peak of one's ability for a limited period because of sharp fo
performing at the peak of one's ability for a limited period because of sharp focus, confidence, and momentum — driven by skill and practice rather than by luck.
Nadia has been playing hot all season, winning every tennis match she enters.
play/feel/stay + hot — peak performance through skill
The basketball team went on a hot streak and won ten games in a row.
hot streak — sustained excellence through skill
Kabir's chess performance has been so hot lately that no one can beat him.
A hot player can sometimes lose focus after making one small mistake.
Liang grew hotter as the competition progressed and finally took first place.
- on fire
more intense and emphatic, same register
- in the zone
suggests effortless focused performance, popular in sports and gaming
- blazing
stronger emphasis on speed and dominance
文法句型
hot + at [activity]
feel/play/stay + hot
hot streak
用法筆記
Subject is typically a person, team, or performer in a skilful activity (sports, music, chess, creative work). The sense describes peak performance through ability and concentration, not luck. Distinguish from sense 12 (LUCKY), where success comes from chance rather than skill.
常見錯誤
14. enjoying a lot of current popularity, interest, or attention from consumers or t
enjoying a lot of current popularity, interest, or attention from consumers or the public
Smartphones with foldable screens are hot among young consumers right now.
hot among [group]
The new dance class became so hot that people signed up weeks in advance.
Rania's fashion blog is one of the hottest pages on social media this year.
Electric cars have been a hot product in the market since last spring.
Adina runs a small bakery whose cinnamon rolls are incredibly hot right now.
- unpopular
direct opposite
- out of fashion
describes something that was once popular but is no longer
文法句型
hot + among [group]
the hottest [noun]
hot product/item
用法筆記
Subject is usually a product, service, trend, or public figure. Unlike sense 13 (ON A ROLL), this sense does not involve temporary peak performance — it refers to broad public demand or enthusiasm.
常見錯誤
15. used only in negative statements such as 'not so hot' or 'not very hot' to say p
used only in negative statements such as 'not so hot' or 'not very hot' to say politely that something is not very good, disappointing, or of mediocre quality — this sense does NOT appear in positive statements describing excellence.
The pasta at that restaurant was not so hot, so we never ordered it again.
not so hot — polite way to say mediocre
Anna's first attempt at baking sourdough bread was not very hot at all.
My phone's battery life has been not so hot since the last software update.
The movie got excellent reviews, but my cousin thought it was not all that hot.
- excellent
direct opposite in positive use
文法句型
not so hot
not very hot
not all that hot
用法筆記
Exclusively used in negative constructions. This provides a milder, less harsh criticism than saying something is 'bad' or 'terrible'. The positive counterpart ('really hot' = excellent) belongs to other senses such as POPULAR (sense 14) or PEAK PERFORMANCE (sense 13).
常見錯誤
16. so surprising, extreme, or exaggerated that it seems absurd or is hard to accept
so surprising, extreme, or exaggerated that it seems absurd or is hard to accept as true
That story about climbing the mountain barefoot sounds a bit hot to me.
hot = exaggerated/unbelievable (informal slang)
The politician's claim that he works a hundred hours a week is pretty hot.
Adisa thought the adventure film's ending was too hot to seem realistic.
Eri heard the gossip about the manager and said it was really hot.
Some of the rumours going around the school are so hot that nobody believes them.
- far-fetched
more neutral, less slangy
- wild
similar register, suggests excitement as well as disbelief
- unbelievable
more general; can be positive or negative depending on context
文法句型
hot = exaggerated/unbelievable
用法筆記
Applies to claims, stories, explanations, or rumours. The sense carries scepticism — calling something 'hot' in this way means you doubt its truth.
17. carrying an electrical current, especially at a voltage high enough to be danger
carrying an electrical current, especially at a voltage high enough to be dangerous
The old wiring in the basement is still hot, so please do not touch it.
hot wire = electrically live
The electrician warned us that the exposed cable was hot and dangerous.
Never work on a circuit unless you have checked that it is no longer hot.
Caleb used a voltage tester to see whether the outlet was still hot or not.
Bright warning signs were placed near the hot transformer to keep workers safe.
文法句型
hot wire / live wire
still hot
hot circuit
用法筆記
Opposite in this sense is 'cold' or 'dead' (not carrying a current). Frequently used in safety warnings and electrical work instructions.
常見錯誤
18. producing or contaminated by radiation at a level that is unsafe for people, typ
producing or contaminated by radiation at a level that is unsafe for people, typically in a nuclear facility or laboratory setting
Workers in protective suits entered the hot zone near the damaged reactor.
hot zone = radioactive area
The cleanup crew removed barrels of hot waste from the old nuclear plant.
Special lead containers are used to store hot materials that give off radiation.
The area around the accident site was declared hot and closed to the public.
Technicians carefully monitored the radiation levels inside the hot laboratory room.
- radioactive
more general and widely understood
- contaminated
broader — can mean contamination by any harmful substance, not just radiation
文法句型
hot zone
hot waste
hot material
用法筆記
Restricted to technical or safety contexts. Does not appear in general conversation. This sense is not related to temperature — radioactive materials may or may not feel warm to the touch.
19. filled with or showing powerful emotions such as excitement, anger, or nervous e
filled with or showing powerful emotions such as excitement, anger, or nervous energy, often leading to restless or intense behaviour
The crowd grew hot with frustration when the referee ignored the obvious foul.
hot with [emotion] — becoming emotionally charged
The campus debate became hotter as more students joined the discussion.
Bilal's voice was hot with anger when he talked about the unfair decision.
The atmosphere inside the courtroom was hot with tension before the verdict.
Gita felt hot with excitement as she waited for the concert to start.
文法句型
hot with [emotion]
grew/grow hot
became hot
用法筆記
Often followed by 'with [emotion noun]' to specify the type of strong feeling. The emotion can be positive (excitement) or negative (anger). Subject is usually a crowd, room, atmosphere, or a person's voice.
常見錯誤
20. describing items that have been stolen or obtained illegally, especially recentl
describing items that have been stolen or obtained illegally, especially recently, so they are risky to handle or sell
The police warned shop owners to watch out for anyone selling hot electronics.
hot [goods] — recently stolen and hard to sell legally
Customs officers found a truckload of hot cigarettes hidden behind wooden crates.
The fence made a living by buying hot jewellery and reselling it overseas.
Ayana suspected the cheap designer handbag at the market stall was hot.
The thieves loaded the hot merchandise into a van and drove across the border.
- stolen
the direct, neutral term; 'hot' is more informal and implies recent theft
- bootleg
specifically about illegally copied or smuggled goods
- contraband
more formal; refers to items whose possession is illegal
- legitimate
obtained and sold legally
- legal
not against the law to own or sell
文法句型
hot goods
hot [product]
too hot to sell
用法筆記
Applied to physical goods only — not used for digital property or stolen ideas. The term emphasises the legal risk of handling the item, not the act of stealing itself.
常見錯誤
21. actively being searched for by law enforcement officials because of suspected cr
actively being searched for by law enforcement officials because of suspected criminal activity
The bank robbers knew they were hot and left town before sunrise.
hot = wanted by police (informal crime slang)
Eli realised he was too hot to stay at his usual hiding place any longer.
The fugitive's face was all over the news, and he knew he was now hot.
The detective said the suspect had been hot for almost two years before the arrest.
After the tip-off to the police, the thief knew he was hot and fled the country.
- wanted
the standard formal term; 'hot' is more dramatic and informal
- fugitive
a noun, not an adjective; refers to the person rather than their status
- on the run
emphasises the act of fleeing rather than the status of being wanted
文法句型
too hot to [stay/hide]
got hot
用法筆記
Always refers to a person (never an object). Often implies the person is aware they are being pursued. The phrase 'too hot' suggests the person cannot stay in one place because of the risk of capture.
常見錯誤
22. moving or operating at a very high speed, especially in competitive sports or ra
moving or operating at a very high speed, especially in competitive sports or racing
The race car driver set a hot lap time during the qualifying session.
hot lap = very fast lap in racing
Tomás made a hot pass to the forward, and the team scored a goal.
The horse ran a hot pace in the final stretch and won by a body length.
A hot start gave the cycling team an early lead in the mountain stage.
The sprinter's first few strides were so hot that nobody could keep up.
- slow
the general opposite
文法句型
hot lap
hot pace
hot start
hot pass
用法筆記
Restricted to sports and racing contexts. Often used in fixed collocations like 'hot lap', 'hot pace', or 'hot start'. Not used for everyday speed (e.g. a fast car on the highway).
常見錯誤
hotter — adverb
1. done with greater emotion, anger, or determination than before — for example, ar
done with greater emotion, anger, or determination than before — for example, arguing more fiercely over a topic, chasing someone more closely, or debating a point more vigorously after a new development.
After the new evidence appeared, the lawyers argued hotter than ever in court.
collocation: argue hotter (debate with more intensity)
The pursuit grew hotter as Diego closed in on the leading runner.
collocation: pursuit/grew hotter
Amara debated hotter on the second topic because she felt more strongly about it.
The competition for the top spot ran hotter this year than last season.
- more fiercely
more common in everyday speech; 'hotter' is more informal and dramatic
- more intensely
broader in use; works for any kind of strong emotion
- more vigorously
suggests energetic effort rather than anger
- more calmly
opposite in emotional intensity
- more mildly
opposite in strength of feeling
用法筆記
Frequently collocates with verbs of argument, pursuit, and competition (debate, argue, chase, pursue, compete). Often occurs in the construction grow/get/become + hotter.
常見錯誤
2. at a faster speed than before or than something else — used especially in sports
at a faster speed than before or than something else — used especially in sports, racing, or other contexts where quick movement is important.
Wei ran hotter than any other player and caught the ball just in time.
The car came around the corner hotter than Okafor expected.
collocation: come around + hotter (motor racing context)
If you want to beat the record, you will have to drive hotter on the final lap.
The midfielder moved hotter in the second half and created two scoring chances.
- faster
standard and neutral; preferred in most contexts
- more quickly
more formal; works in any register
- harder
overlaps in sports contexts ('run harder') but suggests greater effort rather than just speed
- more slowly
direct opposite in speed
- more cautiously
opposite in both speed and care
用法筆記
Primarily informal and found in sports commentary, racing, and casual speech. More common in American English than British. The standard comparative 'faster' is preferred in formal writing.