hotshot

[hot-shot]

adjective

1. highly successful and aggressive.

   a hotshot lawyer; a hotshot account exec.

2. displaying skill flamboyantly.

   a hotshot ballplayer.

3. moving, going, or operating without a stop; fast.

   a hotshot express.

noun

1. an impressively successful or skillful and often vain person.

2. Railroads.,  an express freight train.

3. a firefighter.

hotshot

/ ˈhɒtˌʃɒt /

noun

1. informal,  an important person or expert, esp when showy

Word History and Origins

Origin of hotshot¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; hot + shot ¹

Example Sentences

The Eddie Murphy vehicle chronicles a hotshot advertising executive’s rude awakening after a merger leaves him with a new boss.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Minka Kelly plays a hotshot executive — shorthand for misguided, unfulfilled — out to acquire a French Champagne vineyard.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He was no longer the hotshot Duke star, the aimless former lottery pick, the reliable NBA starter, the trusted vet or famous podcaster.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Top Gun was a breakthrough for Kilmer, who played Iceman, the rival to Cruise's hotshot Maverick at the US Navy's academy for elite fighter pilots.

Read more on BBC

Forest Service and other hotshot crews, according to the corrections department.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accomplished 
• adroit 
• capable 
• deft 
• proficient 
• skilled 
• skillful 
• versed 

When To Use

What does hotshot mean?

A hotshot is someone who’s highly talented and successful in a particular field, especially someone who’s cocky about it.Hotshot can also be used as an adjective to describe such a person. When it’s used as an adjective, it typically modifies a noun that refers to a person’s profession or position, as in hotshot programmer and hotshot quarterback.Example: I heard they brought in some hotshot lawyer to take over the case.