¦ adjective (hotter, hottest)
1. having a high temperature.
feeling or producing an uncomfortable sensation of heat.
(of food) causing a burning sensation in the mouth.
informal (of an electric circuit) at a high voltage; live.
informal radioactive.
2. feeling or showing intense anger, lust, or other strong emotion.
3. informal currently popular, fashionable, or very interesting: the hottest club in town.
Hunting (of the scent) fresh and strong.
(in children's games) very close to finding or guessing something.
4. (often hot on) informal very knowledgeable.
[usu. with negative] good: this is not so hot for business.
5. (hot on) informal strict about.
6. informal difficult to deal with.
(of goods) stolen and difficult to dispose of because easily identifiable.
¦ verb (hots, hotting, hotted) (hot up or hot something up) Brit. informal become or make more lively or exciting.
Phrases
go hot and cold experience a sudden feeling of fear or shock.
have the hots for informal be sexually attracted to.
hot and heavy N. Amer. informal intense; with intensity.
hot on the heels of following closely.
hot under the collar informal angry or resentful.
in hot water informal in trouble or disgrace.
make it (or things) hot for informal stir up trouble for.
Derivatives
hotly adverb
hotness noun
hottish adjective
Origin
OE hat, of Gmc origin.