swelter

[swel-ter]

verb (used without object)

1. to suffer from oppressive heat.

verb (used with object)

1. to oppress with heat.

2. Archaic.,  to exude, as venom.

noun

1. a sweltering condition.

swelter

/ ˈswɛltə /

verb

1. (intr) to suffer under oppressive heat, esp to sweat and feel faint

2. archaic,  (tr) to exude (venom)

3. rare,  (tr) to cause to suffer under oppressive heat

noun

1. a sweltering condition (esp in the phrase in a swelter )

2. oppressive humid heat

Other Word Forms

• unsweltered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of swelter¹

1375–1425; late Middle English swelt ( e ) ren (v.), equivalent to swelt ( en ) to be overcome with heat ( Old English sweltan to die; cognate with Old Norse svelta, Gothic swiltan ) + -eren -er ⁶

Word History and Origins

Origin of swelter¹

C15 swelten, from Old English sweltan to die; related to Old Norse svelta to starve, Old High German swelzan to burn with passion; see _sultry

Example Sentences

Children ran and played in the water, couples with full beach setups caught a slight buzz in the sweltering heat and American flags decorated the sands like a planet conquered.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Other workplace issues frame the union fight ahead, such as a properly functioning air conditioning system coming off the heels of a sweltering summer when people crowded the store to peruse its products.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Xavier’s disappearance occurred amid a late summer monsoon storm system — remnants of Tropical Storm Mario — that brought sweltering heat and unpredictable showers and thunderstorms to the region.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It was the kind of sweltering day that Los Angeles had mostly been spared during a relatively mild summer.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After weeks of monsoon-fueled thunderstorms, wildfires and sweltering heat, “an early season cold front” is expected to bring temperatures down across California this week.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• broil 
• sweat 
• wilt