Having a high temperature; causing a burning or warming feeling; also used to mean spicy, trendy, or very active.
From Old English “hat,” related to Old High German “heiz,” meaning “hot” or “burning.” The core idea of heat has remained stable, while new figurative meanings grew around it.
We use “hot” for temperature, spice, popularity, and even danger (“a hot topic,” “a hot lead”). One simple physical feeling has become a metaphor for almost anything intense or high-energy.
“Hot” has long been used as a sexualized descriptor for women in particular, especially in advertising and entertainment, reinforcing objectification and appearance-based valuation. Over time it has broadened to all genders, but the history of rating women’s attractiveness as “hot” remains strong in many contexts.
Avoid rating people’s bodies as “hot” in professional or power-imbalanced contexts; if discussing attractiveness, apply the term equally across genders and only where personal commentary is clearly welcome.
["attractive","appealing","stylish","popular","high‑demand"]
Women have significantly shaped fashion, performance, and cultural aesthetics that get labeled as “hot,” even when credit is given to male designers, directors, or marketers.
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