Synonyms

hot-wire

American

[hot-wahyuhr, hot-wahy^uhr] / ˈhɒtˈwaɪər, ˈhɒtˌwaɪər /

verb (used with object)

hot-wired, hot-wiring

Slang. to start the engine of (a motor vehicle) by short-circuiting the ignition.

adjective

Electricity, Engineering. depending for its operation on the lengthening or increasing resistance of a wire when it is heated.

hot-wire anemometer; hot-wire microphone.

hot-wire British

verb

slang (tr) to start the engine of (a motor vehicle) by bypassing the ignition switch

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of hot-wire

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Though the silverback did not try to escape again, the offending branch-turned-ladder was removed and hot wire was added to the top of the wall as an additional precaution.

From Slate • Feb. 14, 2023

This involves putting a hot wire through a sample of the fridge or freezer backing material to determine if it catches alight.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2018

I’d seen that split-second surprise in his face and it had cut me like a hot wire.

From The Guardian • Sep. 18, 2015

While Clifford still has much to learn about the techniques of polishing choreography, the hot wire of raw talent ran through the ballet.

From Time Magazine Archive

Suffocated with her own breathing, each foot seemingly lead, each muscle and tendon a hot wire, Jean stumbled feebly where she ran.

From The Wilderness Trail by Williams, Frank

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023