torrid
Americanadjective
adjective
-
so hot and dry as to parch or scorch
-
arid or parched
-
highly charged emotionally
a torrid love scene
Other Word Forms
- hypertorrid adjective
- hypertorridly adverb
- hypertorridness noun
- torridity noun
- torridly adverb
- torridness noun
- untorrid adjective
- untorridity noun
- untorridly adverb
- untorridness noun
Etymology
Origin of torrid
1580–90; < Latin torridus dried up, parched, equivalent to torr ( ēre ) to parch, burn ( torrent, thirst ) + -idus -id 4
Explanation
Torrid can mean "emotionally charged and passionate," like a torrid romance in a soap opera. But if you’re listening to a torrid band, you’re simply hearing musicians that have a lot of energy. Torrid is an adjective that can literally describe something extremely hot — like a torrid afternoon in the desert. It also describes something that's very energetic, or something that has an extreme emotional charge — which is why people often apply torrid to intense romantic relationships. Torrid comes from the Latin word torrere, meaning “parch or scorch.”
Vocabulary lists containing torrid
Term-ometer: Synonyms for "Hot"
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "T"
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Hamilton
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Automakers have had a torrid time as they contend with a muted transition to electric vehicles, U.S. tariffs and a tough Chinese market characterized by intense competition and a new luxury tax policy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index rallied hard on Wednesday, gaining 2.8%, as corners of the market that had been among the hardest-hit in 2026 surged into the lead during a torrid snapback rally.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026
Precious metals have had a torrid time since the outbreak of fighting on Feb. 28.
From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026
The victory is an important one for Draper as he rebuilds after a torrid eight-month spell plagued with an arm injury.
From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026
Koffi had worked in the Night Zoo for eleven years—looking after its beasts in every condition, from torrid rainfall to scorching sunshine—but she’d never felt a heat quite like this.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
