hot
gb/hˈɑt/ us/hˈɑt/
A1
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A1
property
1
Having a high temperature
Having a lot of heat; not cold.
Usage pattern:
[something] is hot
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'hot' with 'spicy' when describing food. In English, 'hot' can mean both, but context matters.
Synonyms
warm (Suggests moderately high temperature, less intense than 'hot'.)
Antonyms
cold (Describes low temperature, opposite of 'hot' in this sense.)
Collocations
hot day
|hot water
|hot weather
|hot drink
|hot sun
Themes
daily life
|weather
|food
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The soup is too hot to eat right now.
- It was a hot summer afternoon.
- Be careful, the pan is hot.
- The water from the tap is very hot this morning.
- Her tea was still hot after ten minutes.
Learner examples
- The coffee is hot.
- Today is a hot day.
- The soup is hot.
- That plate is hot.
- This tea is hot.
adjective
A2
property
2
Spicy in taste
Having a strong taste that burns your mouth because of spices.
Usage pattern:
[food] is hot
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'hot' (spicy) with 'hot' (temperature), leading to misunderstandings when ordering food.
Synonyms
spicy (Common alternative; refers to strong flavor from spices, not temperature.)
Antonyms
mild (Describes food without strong spices or heat.)
Collocations
hot curry
|hot sauce
|hot peppers
|hot salsa
Themes
food
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- This chili is really hot, so be careful.
- I can't eat food that's too hot for my tongue.
- They served a hot curry with rice.
- He loves hot chicken wings.
- The salsa was so hot it made me sweat.
Learner examples
- The curry is hot.
- This sauce is very hot.
- I like hot food.
- The soup is not hot, it is mild.
- My friend likes hot peppers.
adjective
informal
B1
property
3
Physically attractive
Looking very good and attractive.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is hot
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'hot' in formal contexts where it sounds inappropriate; it's generally informal/slang for attractiveness.
Synonyms
good-looking (Neutral term for attractive appearance; less slangy than 'hot'.)
Antonyms
unattractive (Lacking physical appeal.)
Collocations
hot guy
|hot girl
|look hot
Themes
appearance
|relationships
|emotions
Examples
- He's one of the hottest actors in Hollywood.
- She looked really hot in that dress.
- Everyone agrees the new model is hot.
- I think your friend is really hot.
- That singer is so hot right now.
Learner examples
- She is very hot.
- That man is hot.
- My friend thinks he is hot.
- He is a hot actor.
- I think she looks hot.
adjective
informal
B1
property
4
In demand or popular now
Liked by many people right now; very popular.
Usage pattern:
[something] is hot
Synonyms
trending (Popular at the current moment, often on social media.)
Antonyms
unpopular (Not liked or sought after by people.)
Collocations
hot topic
|hot trend
|hot product
Themes
business
|culture
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Electric cars are a hot topic in the industry.
- That new phone model is really hot right now.
- This song is the hottest hit of the summer.
- Sustainable fashion is becoming a hot trend.
- These sneakers are the hottest item in stores.
Learner examples
- This movie is very hot now.
- That singer is hot these days.
- This game is a hot trend.
- Electric cars are a hot topic now.
- That book is a hot seller.
adjective
informal
B2
property
5
Under police attention or risky to handle
Stolen or illegal and dangerous to have because police may find it.
Usage pattern:
[something] is hot
Synonyms
stolen (Specifically taken illegally; 'hot' adds sense of urgency and risk.)
Antonyms
legitimate (Legally obtained and safe to own.)
Collocations
hot goods
|hot property
Themes
crime
|law
|daily_life
Examples
- The cops are looking for that car—it's hot.
- He was caught selling hot merchandise downtown.
- Don't touch that laptop; it's probably hot.
- The jewelry was clearly hot property after the robbery.
- They were trying to get rid of some hot goods.
Learner examples
- This watch is hot.
- That car is hot after the robbery.
- He sells hot phones.
- The police found the hot goods.
- Hot property can get you in trouble.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hot
IPA
GB/hˈɑt/
US/hˈɑt/
Syllables & stress
hot (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (hot)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: hot
- Comparative: hotter
- Superlative: hottest
Word family
Forms
hotter
adjective
hottest
adjective
Related words
reheat
verb
overheat
verb
Negative and opposite forms
cold
adjective A1
unheated
adjective
Advanced or less common
hotly
adverb
hotness
noun
Highlights
- Irregular comparative: hotter Adjective
- Irregular superlative: hottest Adjective
Expressions
hot water
1/hˈɑt wˈɔtɚ/
idiom
informal
In trouble or difficulty
In serious trouble with someone or with the law.
Examples
- He got into hot water for missing the deadline.
- She's in hot water with her boss after the mistake.
red-hot
1/ɹˈɛd hˈɑt/
fixed phrase
Extremely heated or intense activity/situation
Very hot in temperature or very active and exciting.
Examples
- The competition was red-hot until the final round.
- Be careful, the stove burner is red-hot.
hot mess
1/hˈɑt mˈɛs/
idiom
informal
Chaotic but noticeable person/situation
A very messy or confused person or situation, sometimes still interesting or attractive.
Examples
- After the party, the house was a complete hot mess.
- He's such a hot mess, but everyone loves him.
hot mess
2/hˈɑt mˈɛs/
idiom
slang
disorganized but somehow appealing person or thing
A person or thing that is very chaotic or has many problems, but can still be interesting or attractive.
Examples
- By Monday morning I’m always a hot mess.
- The event was a hot mess, but everyone had fun.
hot topic
1/hˈɑt tˈɑpɪk/
fixed phrase
Subject many discuss currently
Something people are talking about a lot right now.
Examples
- Climate change has become a hot topic in politics.
- Climate change is a hot topic in the news.
- The new law is a hot topic among voters.
- The new law has become a hot topic among voters.
strike while the iron is hot
1/stɹˈaɪk wˈaɪl ðə ˈaɪɚn ˈɪz hˈɑt/
idiom
Act quickly on opportunity
To do something right away because it is the best time to do it.
Examples
- You should strike while the iron is hot and apply now.
- You should strike while the iron is hot and apply for the job now.
- You should strike while the iron is hot and ask for a raise now.
- He struck while the iron was hot and sold his shares for a profit.
- They struck while the iron was hot and made the investment.
- The team struck while the iron was hot and scored another goal.