red-hot

American  

[red-hot, red-hot] / ˈrɛdˈhɒt, ˈrɛdˌhɒt /

adjective

1. red with heat; very hot.

2. creating much excitement, demand, or discussion.

   The new toy robot is a red-hot item this Christmas.

3. violent; furious.

   red-hot anger.

4. characterized by intense excitement, enthusiasm, or passion.

5. very fresh or new; most recent.

   red-hot tips on the stock market.

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noun

1. a person who has great fervor or intensity, as for a goal or cause.

2. Informal. a hot dog.

3. a small cinnamon-flavored candy.

red-hot British  

adjective

1. (esp of metal) heated to the temperature at which it glows red

   iron is red-hot at about 500°C

2. extremely hot

   the stove is red-hot, so don't touch it

3. keen, excited, or eager; enthusiastic

4. furious; violent

   red-hot anger

5. very recent or topical

   red-hot information

6. slang extreme, unreasonable, or unfair

   the charges are red-hot

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Etymology

Origin of red-hot

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75

Example Sentences

It has a faint, almost red-hot intensity; it’s not aggressive, but assertive.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

That’s a notably poor performance for a company selling the sort of “picks and shovels” that are still in red-hot demand three years into the AI spending boom.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

A firefighter picking up hoses on Jan. 2 found crackling, red-hot coals in the dirt and warned colleagues that a more thorough mop-up was needed.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

The Cavs took the lead barely a minute into the game with an Evan Mobley three-pointer, and never gave it up in a thoroughly comfortable night for the red-hot Ohio franchise.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

When you order kalbi or bulgogi, a man brings a tin of red-hot coals to set inside the pit of the table.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

Related Words

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