hot air

American  

noun

Informal.

1. empty, exaggerated, or pretentious talk or writing.

   His report on the company's progress was just so much hot air.

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hot air British  

noun

1. informal empty and usually boastful talk

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hot air Idioms  

1. Empty, exaggerated talk, as in That last speech of his was pure hot air. It is also put as full of hot air, as in Pay no attention to Howard—he's full of hot air. This metaphoric term transfers heated air to vaporous talk. [Late 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of hot air

1835–45 for literal sense

Example Sentences

By Thursday, the supply of cooler air will be cut off as hot air resurges from France once again.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

Ash devils occur when heat from a fire causes hot air to rise and mix with the cool air from shifting winds, called wind shears.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

If some of the sudden national attention can feel like hot air, the local fight over these issues is about to get very real.

From Slate • Apr. 29, 2026

Find the source of hot air, spot the killer news, and don’t speculate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

When I step out on the mat, the hot air bakes my damaged skin dry.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• wind