hot
hot — verb
1. to raise the temperature of something so that it becomes warm or hot, often quic
to raise the temperature of something so that it becomes warm or hot, often quickly or for a short time.
Femi hotted the pan before adding the cooking oil.
transitive: hot + object (pan)
Jiwoo hotted the milk for her coffee on the stove.
The concrete path had been hotted by the strong morning sun.
passive form: be hotted by [heat source]
Trang hotted the soup on the stove while her guests sat at the table.
hot + food item + location
The old radiator hotted the small room within ten minutes.
inanimate subject: radiator
- hot the pan
- hot the milk
- hot the water
- hot the soup
- hot a room
Grammar Patterns
hot + object (pan / milk / water)
hot + up
hot + object + up
Usage Note
Considerably less frequent than the verbs 'heat' or 'warm'. The simple past 'hotted' may sound unfamiliar to some learners; 'heated' is the standard form for the same meaning.
Common Mistakes
hot up
phrasal verbto become more exciting, intense, or busy; or to make something warmer in temperature.
The election campaign hotted up in the final week before polling day.
Élise asked the band to hot up the music so the crowd would start dancing.
hot — noun
1. the hottest part of a day or season, when the temperature reaches its highest po
the hottest part of a day or season, when the temperature reaches its highest point.
The farmers began their work at dawn to avoid the hot of the midday sun.
the hot of + noun phrase — fixed structure for hottest part
Soraya waited for the hot of the afternoon to pass before walking to the market.
Even after sunset, the hot of the day still filled the narrow streets of Marrakesh.
The hot of the desert summer drove everyone indoors until the evening breeze arrived.
During the hot of July, the Chens slept on straw mats by the open window.
- the hot of
- the hot of the day
- the hot of the afternoon
- the hot of summer
- midday hot
- avoid the hot
- wait for the hot to pass
Grammar Patterns
the hot of + noun phrase
Usage Note
Only used in fixed expressions with 'the' followed by 'of' ('the hot of the day / afternoon / summer'). Cannot be freely substituted for 'heat' in most contexts.
Common Mistakes
2. a cooked meal served at a high temperature, especially one prepared in a school,
a cooked meal served at a high temperature, especially one prepared in a school, hospital, or other food-service setting for a large number of people.
The school canteen served hots every weekday to over four hundred students.
hots as plural noun for hot meals — informal register
After the long hike, Bao found a small cafe that still served hots.
The hospital kitchen offered both cold sandwiches and hots during lunch hours.
Elderly residents in the care home looked forward to the hots delivered at noon.
- serve hots
- order hots
- the hots
- cold sandwiches and hots
- hots delivered
Grammar Patterns
the hots as countable plural noun
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the plural form 'hots' when referring to hot meals. The singular form is extremely rare. This usage is informal and most common in institutional settings.
Common Mistakes
3. a strong feeling of sexual attraction or desire directed at a particular person.
a strong feeling of sexual attraction or desire directed at a particular person.
Jude clearly had the hots for the new barista at the coffee shop.
have the hots for [someone] — informal fixed phrase
Roya joked that her grandmother secretly had the hots for the young man next door.
Noa admitted he had the hots for his classmate but never found the courage to speak to her.
Tomás laughed when his friends teased him about having the hots for the singer.
- have the hots for
- the hots for
- get the hots for
- had the hots for
- lust
stronger and more direct than 'the hots'; often carries a negative or moral judgment
- crush
milder and more innocent; 'crush' is used for romantic infatuation, not necessarily sexual
- attraction
more formal and less intense than 'the hots'; covers a broader range of feelings
- disgust
a strong feeling of dislike or repulsion
- indifference
absence of any romantic or sexual interest
Grammar Patterns
the hots for + person
Usage Note
Always appears in the fixed phrase 'the hots for [person].' Informal register — suitable for casual conversation but not for formal writing. More common in North American English than British English.
Common Mistakes
to feel a strong physical or romantic attraction toward a particular person, often in an obvious or slightly embarrassing way.
Everyone at the party could see that Diego had the hots for Salma; he barely left her side all night.
When Élise started dressing more carefully and laughing at all of Mark's jokes, her roommate knew she had the hots for him.
hot — adjective
1. having a temperature that is noticeably higher than normal, to the point where y
having a temperature that is noticeably higher than normal, to the point where you can feel it or it may be uncomfortable to touch.
Trang made a cup of hot tea and blew on it to cool it down.
The summer sun made the sand too hot to walk on without shoes.
too + adj + to-infinitive for degree
Bao's mother warned him not to touch the hot pan on the stove.
The soup was still hot, so Dylan decided to wait a few minutes before eating.
Haruto turned on the hot water and let it run over his cold hands.
collocation: hot water
- hot water
- hot weather
- hot day
- hot food
- hot drink
- hot sun
Common Mistakes
2. relates to food prepared with chilli peppers or powerful seasonings that cause a
relates to food prepared with chilli peppers or powerful seasonings that cause a sharp stinging sensation on your tongue.
Maeve's curry was so hot from the chili that her eyes began to water.
so + adj + that-clause for result
Élise ordered a hot sauce to go with her tacos at the new Mexican restaurant.
collocation: hot sauce
This dish is very hot, so Ilan asked for milk to cool his mouth.
Kian loves spicy food and always buys the hottest noodles from the night market.
superlative: the hottest
- hot sauce
- hot pepper
- hot curry
- hot spice
- hot chili
Usage Note
This sense refers to the burning taste of spices, not the temperature of the food. A dish can be 'hot' in this sense even when served cold, like spicy cold noodles.
Common Mistakes
3. describes a topic, issue, or situation that people feel very strongly about and
describes a topic, issue, or situation that people feel very strongly about and argue over because opinions are sharply divided.
The new school uniform policy became a hot topic among parents and teachers.
collocation: hot topic
Climate change remains a hot issue that politicians argue about every election year.
collocation: hot issue
Rania wrote a column about several hot debates happening in the city council this week.
Immigration is such a hot subject that some families avoid discussing it at dinner.
- hot topic
- hot issue
- hot subject
- hot debate
- hot potato
- controversial
more formal and precise for causing public disagreement
- contentious
formal; likely to cause arguments, especially in legal or political contexts
- divisive
causes people to split into opposing groups
- uncontroversial
not causing any disagreement or argument
- settled
no longer debated or disputed
Grammar Patterns
hot + noun (topic / issue / subject / debate)
Usage Note
Typically placed before the noun it modifies ('hot topic', 'hot issue') rather than after a linking verb, though 'become hot' is also natural.
Common Mistakes
4. very popular, trendy, or in demand at the present time, especially for something
very popular, trendy, or in demand at the present time, especially for something new that many people are excited about.
Astrid discovered a hot new band that everyone at school was talking about.
collocation: hot new [noun]
The latest smartphone model is the hottest product on the market right now.
superlative: the hottest
Vikram's tech blog features the hottest trends in artificial intelligence this year.
That café became a hot spot where young artists gather to share their work.
collocation: hot spot
- hot new [thing]
- hot trend
- hot product
- hot spot
- hottest [item]
Grammar Patterns
hot + noun (new product / trend / spot)
Usage Note
Frequently appears before nouns like 'new', 'trend', 'product', or 'spot'. The superlative form 'the hottest' is especially common in marketing language.
Common Mistakes
5. very strict about a particular standard or rule, expecting that it must always b
very strict about a particular standard or rule, expecting that it must always be followed without exception.
Professor Darius is very hot on punctuality and locks the door when class begins.
pattern: be hot on + noun
The coach is hot on discipline and makes the team arrive early for every practice.
Nikhil's boss is hot on accuracy, so he always double-checks the numbers before sending reports.
The school is hot on attendance and calls parents if a student skips class.
pattern: be hot on + gerund
- hot on punctuality
- hot on discipline
- hot on accuracy
- hot on safety
- hot on details
Grammar Patterns
be hot on + noun / gerund
Usage Note
Always used in the construction 'be hot on something'. It does not describe a person's general personality but rather their strictness about a specific area. Distinguish from sense 'HOT-TEMPERED' which means easily angered as a personality trait.
Common Mistakes
6. very skilful at doing something or having deep knowledge about a particular subj
very skilful at doing something or having deep knowledge about a particular subject.
Tariro is really hot at computer programming and can fix almost any bug.
pattern: be hot at + noun/gerund
Mira hired a hot young lawyer who had never lost a case in court.
Eitan is hot on history and can name every Roman emperor from memory.
pattern: be hot on + noun (knowledge)
The laboratory needs someone who is hot at data analysis to handle this project.
pattern: be hot at + noun
- hot at [skill]
- hot on [subject]
- hot at math
- hot on grammar
- hot at fixing things
- inexperienced
lacking practice or skill in an area
- novice
completely new to a skill; a beginner
Grammar Patterns
be hot at + noun / gerund
be hot on + noun
Usage Note
More common in British English than American. When used with 'hot at', it typically describes practical skills. When used with 'hot on', it often describes knowledge. The 'hot at' pattern usually requires a gerund or skill-area noun.
Common Mistakes
7. Information or advice from somebody with special knowledge, especially about upc
Information or advice from somebody with special knowledge, especially about upcoming events in a competition or business.
Vivek's uncle gave him a hot tip about which stocks to buy before the prices went up.
hot tip + about + [topic]
Journalists raced to follow up on the hot tip about a cabinet reshuffle.
Did the coach's hot tip about the opponent's defence help the team win?
hot tip + about + [topic] (question form)
That hot tip turned out to be completely wrong, so Rachel lost her investment.
A stranger whispered a hot tip into the gambler's ear at the racetrack.
collocation: whisper a hot tip
- hot tip
- hot news
- hot information
- hot off the press
- tip
shorter, less intense; a hot tip is a tip believed to be especially good
- lead
used mainly in investigative contexts like police work or journalism
- inside information
more formal and suggests the source has secret access
Grammar Patterns
hot tip + about + noun
Usage Note
Often used in contexts of betting, investing, or journalism. Not used for casual social gossip — a hot tip implies the information has practical value.
Common Mistakes
8. The person, team, or animal that the public or experts judge to have the stronge
The person, team, or animal that the public or experts judge to have the strongest chance of finishing first in a contest such as a sporting match, an election, or another competitive event.
Nikos is the hot favourite to win the marathon after breaking the national record.
hot favourite + to-infinitive
The hot favourite fell at the first fence and lost the horse race entirely.
With her strong lead in the polls, Senator Isabela was the hot favourite for re-election.
hot favourite + for + noun
The judges surprised everyone by picking a dark horse instead of the hot favourite.
antonym pair: hot favourite / dark horse
Bookmakers listed the Brazilian team as hot favourites to win the World Cup again.
- hot favourite to win
- hot favourite for the title
- hot favourite in the race
- front-runner
neutral, used especially in elections and races
- top contender
more formal; a strong candidate but not necessarily the top one
- favourite
the same meaning without the intensifier 'hot'
- dark horse
a competitor nobody expects to win
Grammar Patterns
hot favourite + to-infinitive
hot favourite + for + noun
Usage Note
Common in sports journalism, betting contexts, and election coverage. Often followed by an infinitive (hot favourite to win) or a 'for' phrase (hot favourite for the title).
Common Mistakes
9. (of goods or property) recently taken without permission, making them risky to s
(of goods or property) recently taken without permission, making them risky to sell or possess openly because the police may still be searching for them and they are easy to recognise.
The pawnbroker realised the watches were hot and called the police immediately.
predicative use: item + be + hot
A pair of thieves tried to sell hot jewellery at a market across the border, but nobody would buy it.
Dealers who knowingly buy hot goods can face serious criminal charges and prison time.
attributive: hot goods
The stolen paintings were too hot to sell anywhere, so the thieves hid them in an old warehouse.
pattern: too + hot + to-infinitive
The detective warned all antique shops not to accept any hot merchandise from unknown sellers.
- hot goods
- hot jewellery
- hot merchandise
- hot property
- stolen
neutral, no implication of recentness or risk
- lifted
British slang, very informal
- knocked off
informal, used especially for counterfeit luxury goods
- legitimate
obtained legally and above board
- clean
informal slang for property that is not stolen
Grammar Patterns
hot + noun (hot goods, hot jewellery, etc.)
Usage Note
Almost always used of physical goods (jewellery, electronics, art). Not used for digital property or intangible things. Frequently appears in crime dramas and police procedural contexts.
Common Mistakes
10. Physically attractive in a way that stirs romantic or sexual interest; or descri
Physically attractive in a way that stirs romantic or sexual interest; or describing the state of feeling strong sexual desire or excitement.
Élise felt hot all over whenever her partner walked into the room.
predicative: feel hot (feeling desire)
The magazine voted Christopher the hottest actor of the year for the third time.
superlative form: hottest + noun
Nora looked incredibly hot in her evening dress at the awards ceremony.
collocation: look hot (appearance)
Some advertisements use hot models to sell everyday products like shampoo or perfume.
attributive: hot + model
Femi blushed when someone called him hot at the party.
- hot model
- hot actor
- look hot
- feel hot
- hot body
- sexy
equally informal but slightly more direct; the most common synonym
- attractive
neutral and polite; covers both physical and personal charm
- good-looking
less intense; purely about appearance without sexual emphasis
- fit
British informal slang; focuses on physical body shape
- ugly
strong and direct opposite
- unattractive
neutral, less harsh than 'ugly'
Grammar Patterns
feel hot
look hot
hot + noun (hot actor, hot model, etc.)
Usage Note
Informal and direct. Can sound crude in formal or professional settings. Use 'attractive' or 'good-looking' for polite contexts. When describing a person's state ('feeling hot'), the meaning is sexually excited rather than physically warm.
Common Mistakes
11. (of a person) having a tendency to become angry very quickly and easily, often o
(of a person) having a tendency to become angry very quickly and easily, often over minor issues that others would not react to.
Rachel has a hot temper and often shouts at her colleagues over small mistakes.
collocation: have a hot temper
The hot-tempered referee argued with both coaches and gave out three red cards.
attributive: hot-tempered + noun
A hot temper can damage friendships if you never learn to control your anger.
Liang's hot-tempered reaction surprised everyone at the meeting.
My grandfather was a hot-tempered man, but he was also very generous and kind.
contrastive pattern: hot-tempered + but + positive quality
- hot temper
- hot-tempered person
- hot-tempered reaction
- short-tempered
nearly identical in meaning; very common
- irritable
can describe both a temporary mood and a personality trait
- quick-tempered
synonymous; equally common
- volatile
more formal; implies reactions can be explosive
- calm
does not get angry easily
- patient
able to wait and tolerate frustration without anger
- easy-going
relaxed about most things
Grammar Patterns
hot temper (noun phrase)
hot-tempered + noun (person)
Usage Note
Describes a personality trait, not a temporary state. If someone is only angry right now, use 'angry' or 'furious', not 'hot-tempered'. The noun phrase 'a hot temper' is more common than the adjective 'hot-tempered'.
Common Mistakes
12. Very eager, strongly enthusiastic, or deeply committed to a particular activity,
Very eager, strongly enthusiastic, or deeply committed to a particular activity, idea, or interest — showing great passion and energy for it.
Wren is hot on collecting vintage stamps and attends every stamp fair in the country.
pattern: hot on + gerund
The hot young designer impressed everyone with her passion for sustainable fashion.
attributive: hot + young + noun
Mathieu is hot for adventure and plans to hike across Patagonia next summer.
pattern: hot for + noun
Adisa is a hot promoter of renewable energy and gives talks at local schools.
attributive: hot + promoter
My sister was hot about joining the choir after hearing them perform at the festival.
pattern: hot about + gerund
- hot on something
- hot for something
- hot about something
- hot promoter
- hot supporter
- keen
British English; has the same level of eagerness but sounds more neutral
- enthusiastic
more formal and widely usable in any register
- passionate
stronger emotional intensity; suggests deep personal connection
- eager
focuses on wanting to begin or participate
- indifferent
not caring either way
- apathetic
lacking any interest or enthusiasm
- reluctant
unwilling or hesitant to participate
Grammar Patterns
hot + on + noun/gerund
hot + for + noun
hot + about + noun
Usage Note
Almost always followed by a preposition: 'hot on' (most common with topics/skills), 'hot for' (with goals/experiences), or 'hot about' (with activities/proposals). Less common than 'keen' or 'enthusiastic' in British English; more frequent in American informal usage.
Common Mistakes
13. Done or moving with great speed and energy — for example, a racing car taking a
Done or moving with great speed and energy — for example, a racing car taking a hot lap, or a runner setting a hot pace during a competition.
Beatrix drove a hot lap around the track, finishing seconds ahead of the others.
hot lap — a very fast lap in racing
The young runner set a hot pace that surprised everyone at the stadium.
collocation: set a hot pace
Yuna's hot start in the race helped her build an early lead.
Kemi made a hot run to the store and was back in just five minutes.
hot run — a very fast trip
- hot lap
- hot pace
- hot start
- hot run
Grammar Patterns
hot + noun describing speed or pace
set a hot pace
Usage Note
Common in sports and informal contexts to describe fast performance. Expressions like 'hot lap,' 'hot pace,' and 'hot start' are the most natural collocations. Not used in formal writing.
Common Mistakes
14. Bringing or marked by unusually good fortune or favourable results — for example
Bringing or marked by unusually good fortune or favourable results — for example, a gambler on a hot streak at the casino, or a sports team that keeps winning.
Amelia was on a hot streak at the poker table, winning hand after hand.
hot streak — a series of lucky outcomes
The local basketball team got hot in the final minutes and scored twelve unanswered points.
get hot — start having good luck or success
Nila's dice were so hot that she rolled doubles five times in a row.
Sirin enjoyed a hot spell of luck, finding a lost wallet on her way home.
hot spell — a brief period of good fortune
- on a hot streak
- get hot
- hot spell
- hot hand
Grammar Patterns
be on a hot streak
get hot
have a hot spell
Usage Note
Frequently appears in gambling and sports contexts. 'Hot streak' can refer to any sustained period of good luck, while 'hot hand' is specific to games involving coordinated physical skill (basketball, darts).
Common Mistakes
15. Describes something disappointing or below standard when used with 'not.' Also d
Describes something disappointing or below standard when used with 'not.' Also describes feeling slightly unwell in the phrase 'not feel so hot.' For example, a movie that is boring, or a person who feels ill after a long trip.
The film last night was not so hot, so we left before the end.
not so hot — not very good in quality
Yara's first attempt at baking was not so hot — the loaf came out hard.
After the long flight, Élise did not feel so hot and went straight to bed.
not feel so hot — feel unwell
Mira had a sore throat and told her boss she was not feeling so hot.
- not so hot
- not feel so hot
- nothing hot
Grammar Patterns
not + so + hot
not + feel + so + hot
nothing hot
Usage Note
This sense only works in negative structures. Saying 'the food is hot' would be understood as 'high temperature' (sense 1), not 'good quality.' The positive form never carries this meaning.
Common Mistakes
hot off the press
idiomused to describe news or information that has just been announced or published and is very current.
Here is the latest report, hot off the press, with details of the election results.
The magazine story about the celebrity wedding is hot off the press and selling quickly.
blow hot and cold
idiomto keep changing your opinion about something, sometimes supporting it and sometimes opposing it.
The manager keeps blowing hot and cold about the new project, and nobody knows if it will go ahead.
Heloísa blew hot and cold about moving abroad for weeks before finally deciding to stay.
to make a situation unpleasant or difficult for someone, often as a form of punishment or pressure.
The other players made it hot for the new member by constantly criticising his performance.
Neighbours made it hot for the family after their dog barked all night every night.
be hot to trot
idiomTo be very eager and ready to start doing something.
The team was hot to trot for the championship game.
Are you hot to trot about the new project?
To be in or get into a difficult or troublesome situation.
Maya got into hot water for missing the deadline.
If you lie, you might find yourself in hot water.
To keep changing your opinion or feelings about something.
Sara blew hot and cold about joining the club.
He keeps blowing hot and cold on the vacation plan.
go hot and cold
idiomTo suddenly feel very frightened or anxious.
When I saw the accident, I went hot and cold.
Did you go hot and cold during the scary movie?
To be sold very quickly and in large numbers.
The new video game sold like hot cakes.
Her homemade cookies went like hot cakes at the fair.
Following very closely behind someone or something, or happening soon after.
The dog was hot on the rabbit's heels.
Success came hot on the heels of her hard work.
Feeling worried, stressed, or upset because of pressure or a problem.
Brian got all hot and bothered before the exam.
Why are you so hot and bothered about the party?
Close to catching or finding the person or thing you are chasing or searching for.
The police were hot on the thief's trail.
Scientists are hot on the trail of a cure.
hot under the collar
idiomFeeling angry, annoyed, or embarrassed.
Diego got hot under the collar when his car broke down.
She became hot under the collar after the rude comment.
Following someone closely and with determination to catch them.
The officer ran in hot pursuit of the suspect.
With the guard in hot pursuit, the boy fled.
Very nervous or unable to stay still.
Aiden was like a cat on a hot tin roof before his speech.
Why are you pacing like a cat on a hot tin roof?
not so/too hot
idiomNot very good in quality or condition.
My math grade is not so hot this semester.
How are you feeling? Not too hot, I'm afraid.
To take advantage of an opportunity immediately before it disappears.
She decided to strike while the iron is hot and apply.
If you have a chance, strike while the iron is hot.
hot — adverb
1. to do something with a lot of physical heat, or with strong feelings such as ang
to do something with a lot of physical heat, or with strong feelings such as anger or excitement
The afternoon sun beat down hot on the dusty football field.
collocation: 'beat down hot' for strong sunlight
The old iron stove burned hot, filling the cabin with warmth.
collocation: 'burn hot' for intense fire
Tempers ran hot during the long argument about the missing funds.
The blacksmith hammered the metal while it still glowed hot from the fire.
collocation: 'glow hot' for metal at high temperature
Serve the soup hot with a slice of fresh bread on the side.
collocation: 'serve hot' for food preparation
- beat down hot
- burn hot
- glow hot
- serve hot
- run hot
- shine hot
- coolly
opposite of emotional intensity — acting without anger or excitement
Grammar Patterns
verb + hot
Usage Note
Unlike most adverbs that add '-ly' to their adjective form, 'hot' keeps its base form. The alternative 'hotly' carries mainly figurative meanings, while 'hot' as an adverb is more common with literal descriptions of temperature.
Common Mistakes
2. at great speed, especially when chasing someone or competing to reach a goal
at great speed, especially when chasing someone or competing to reach a goal
A guard was hot on the heels of the shoplifter running through the crowded market.
collocation: 'hot on the heels of' for close pursuit
The red car came up hot and overtook the truck on the straight road.
Tyler was hot on the trail of the rare bird through the forest for days.
collocation: 'hot on the trail of' for following closely
The runner finished hot, just one second behind the winner of the marathon.
- hot on the heels of
- hot on the trail of
- come up hot
- finish hot
Grammar Patterns
be + hot on + [noun phrase]
come up + hot
Usage Note
Primarily used in fixed phrases of pursuit such as 'hot on someone's heels' or 'hot on the trail of.' Also common in racing contexts with 'come up hot' or 'finish hot.' Unlike the adjective sense of 'hot' meaning fast, this adverb sense modifies verbs and describes the manner of motion.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
The core temperature sense of 'hot' sits on a cline alongside 'warm', 'boiling', and 'scalding'. 'Warm' describes a comfortably mild temperature — pleasant bath water, a gentle breeze — while 'hot' indicates noticeably high heat, often at the edge of discomfort. Further up the scale, 'boiling' is used informally for very hot liquids or weather ('I'm boiling in this room'), and 'scalding' refers specifically to liquids or steam hot enough to cause burns. 'Lukewarm' occupies the opposite side of 'warm': neither hot nor cold, but disappointingly tepid, especially for drinks meant to be served hot. The choice among these words signals not just degree but also attitude: 'boiling' is emphatic and informal, 'scalding' suggests danger, and 'lukewarm' carries a hint of dissatisfaction. For example, a cup of tea can be 'warm' (drinkable), 'hot' (properly served), 'boiling' (too hot to sip), or 'lukewarm' (past its prime).
Common collocations
Nouns
- hot topic
- hot issue
- hot spot
- hot potato
- hot favourite
- hot tip
- hot streak
- hot temper
- hot lap
- hot pace
- hot water
- hot sauce
- hot meal
- hot air
Adverbs
- extremely hot
- very hot
- quite hot
- unbearably hot
- hot enough
- too hot
Phrases
- hot and cold
- hot off the press
- hot on the heels of
- hot on the trail of
- strike while the iron is hot
- hot under the collar
- blow hot and cold
- go hot and cold
- in hot water
- make it hot for someone
- the hottest [thing] on the market
- hot and bothered
Prepositions
- hot from
- hot off
- hot on
- hot for
- hot about
- hot at
Etymology
The word 'hot' traces back to Old English 'hāt', which already carried the core meaning of 'having a high temperature'. It comes from Proto-Germanic '*haitaz', and shares its root with cognates found across the Germanic family: German 'heiss', Dutch 'heet', and Old Norse 'heitr'. The spelling shifted from 'hat' in Middle English to the modern 'hot' around the 15th–16th centuries. Over time the word expanded far beyond literal temperature to cover spiciness, intensity of emotion, popularity, speed, skill, and even stolen goods — making it one of the most semantically elastic adjectives in English.