1 a : having a high temperature
▪ hot August nights ▪ hot and humid weather ▪ taking a hot bath/shower ▪ a hot climate/country ▪ It is/gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter. ▪ The baked potatoes were too hot to handle with our bare hands. ▪ We worked all afternoon in/under the hot sun. ▪ The chicken was fried in hot oil. ▪ Your forehead feels hot. I think you might have a fever. ▪ a blazing/sizzling/steaming hot afternoon ▪ boiling/burning/fiery hot — see also red-hot, white-hot
b : having a feeling of high body heat
▪ I was feeling hot and tired.
c of food or drink : heated to a hot or warm temperature : served at a hot or warm temperature
▪ hot cereal ▪ a hot meal ▪ a selection of hot beverages — see also piping hot 2 informal a : currently liked or wanted by many people
▪ The new toys are so hot that stores can't keep them in stock. ▪ a hot new restaurant ▪ He's considered a hot [=appealing, desirable] prospect. : currently very active or strong ▪ Her new book is a hot seller. ▪ She spoke about the latest hot trends in the computer industry. : currently causing a lot of interest or discussion ▪ reporters pursuing a hot story ▪ a hot concept/idea ▪ His decision has been a hot topic of conversation. ◊Something or someone that is a hot commodity/item/property is currently very valuable or popular.
▪ Exotic mushrooms are a hot commodity. ▪ The success of her latest movie has made her a hot property in Hollywood. ▪ Computer games are a hot item in stores this year.
b : very good — usually used in negative statements ▪ I don't think that's such a hot idea. [=I don't think it's a good idea] ▪ He came home early because he wasn't feeling too hot. [=he wasn't feeling well] ▪ Things aren't looking so hot at this point.
c : having a period of unusual success or good luck
▪ The team has been hot recently. = The team has recently been on a hot streak. [=the team has been winning a lot recently] ▪ When you're hot, you're hot. [=when you are having good luck, you keep winning or succeeding repeatedly] 3 a : marked by anger or strong feelings
▪ a hot [=heated] argument ▪ His decision has been a topic of hot debate. ▪ This is an area of hot dispute. ◊An issue or topic that is too hot to handle causes so much anger or controversy that people avoid discussing or dealing with it.
b always used before a noun : easily excited or angered
▪ He's known for his hot [=bad] temper.
c : angry
▪ He was starting to get pretty hot about the delays. ▪ You shouldn't allow these little delays to get you all hot and bothered. [=to make you angry and upset] — see also hot under the collar (below) 4 of food : having a spicy or peppery flavor
▪ hot chilis ▪ hot sauce/mustard ▪ Do you prefer your curry hot or mild? 5 informal a : sexually excited by or interested in someone — + for ▪ Everyone knows she's hot for the new guy in her office.
b : sexually attractive
▪ The girl he's dating is really hot. ▪ He was voted the hottest [=sexiest] actor in Hollywood.
c : exciting in a sexual or romantic way
▪ He's nervous because he has a hot date tonight.
d of sex : very intense or exciting
▪ hot sex
e : eager — usually followed by to + verb ▪ She's hot to party. — sometimes + for ▪ The students are hot for reform. 6 music : having an exciting rhythm
▪ hot jazz 7 informal : very strong or determined
▪ We're going to face some hot competition. 8 : newly made : fresh and warm
▪ bread hot from the oven ◊Something, such as a story or book, that is hot off the press has just recently been completed, published, or printed.
▪ His new book is hot off the press. 9 : following closely
▪ The police are in hot pursuit of the escaped convicts. [=the police are chasing the convicts and are close to catching them] ◊To be hot on the heels of or hot on the trail of someone is to be chasing someone very closely.
▪ The escaped convicts are heading south, but the police are hot on their heels. ▪ The police are hot on the trail of the escaped convicts. To be/follow/come hot on the heels of something is to come or happen immediately or very soon after something. ▪ Their second album is coming hot on the heels of the first. To be hot on the trail of something is to be very close to doing, finding, or getting something. ▪ The company says it is hot on the trail of a new cancer treatment. 10 : very bright
▪ hot colors ▪ hot pink 11 : carrying electric current
▪ The black wire is hot. 12 informal : recently stolen
▪ hot jewels 13 informal : dangerous and difficult : difficult to deal with because of danger
▪ criminals who leave town when things get hot [=when there is too much danger that they will be caught by the police]