sweltering

[ swel-ter-ing ]

/ ˈswɛl tər ɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR sweltering ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

suffering oppressive heat.

characterized by oppressive heat; sultry.

Nearby words

swelled-headed, swellfish, swellhead, swelling, swelter, sweltering, swelteringly, sweltry, swenson, swept, swept volume

Origin of sweltering

First recorded in 1565–75; swelter + -ing²

Related forms

swel·ter·ing·ly, adverbun·swel·ter·ing, adjective

Definition for sweltering (2 of 2)

swelter

[ swel-ter ]

/ ˈswɛl tər /

verb (used without object)

to suffer from oppressive heat.

verb (used with object)

to oppress with heat.

Archaic. to exude, as venom.

noun

a sweltering condition.

Origin of swelter

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 -er⁶

Related forms

un·swel·tered, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sweltering

Basosila Botala is wearing a blue rain jacket despite the sweltering heat.
The Congo's Forgotten Colonial Getaway|Nina Strochlic|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With sweltering hot temperatures, constant sweat was normal.
The Original Ebola Hunter|Abby Haglage|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The urban population abandons the sweltering cities and heads to the beach for the month.
Will Scandal Sink the Spanish Royal Family?|Tom Sykes|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After a sweltering day of Republican head-scratching, the Iowa GOP chose its least popular candidate as a Congressional nominee.
The Bizarro World Of Iowa’s GOP Convention|Ben Jacobs|June 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Griffin wore a Captain America costume, complete with a mask, which he was nearly unbearable in the sweltering heat.
Crucifixes, Gorillas, and Adult Diapers: My March Against Gay Marriage|Olivia Nuzzi|June 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was, indeed, one of the perfect days that come sometimes to break the heat of sweltering midsummer.
Bert Wilson at the Wheel|J. W. Duffield
Difficulties began as soon as he reached the sweltering, steaming forest region.
The South American Republics, Part II (of 2)|Thomas C. Dawson
After a sweltering day the sky is wonderfully brilliant with stars, the air undisturbed by even the faintest zephyr.
Lines in Pleasant Places|William Senior
Jaffery spent most of the sweltering hours of daylight (it was a blazing summer) in playing golf on the local course.
Jaffery|William J. Locke
Cars full of screaming babies, sweltering tourists, and falling cinders that sting like dumb mosquitoes.
Over the Rocky Mountains to Alaska|Charles Warren Stoddard

British Dictionary definitions for sweltering (1 of 2)

sweltering

/ (ˈswɛltərɪŋ) /

adjective

oppressively hot and humida sweltering day

Derived Forms

swelteringly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for sweltering (2 of 2)

swelter

/ (ˈswɛltə) /

verb

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

(tr) archaic to exude (venom)

(tr) rare to cause to suffer under oppressive heat

noun

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

oppressive humid heat

Word Origin for swelter

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

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