How to Talk About Hot Weather in English
"It's hot!"
You can use this simple phrase to describe the weather when the temperature goes up in the summertime.
However, there are other words we can use to talk about high temperatures as well. Additionally, the adjective "hot" has many uses in English that aren't related to the weather at all. Let's take a closer look.
Different Uses of "Hot"
"Hot" can refer to a few different things, including:
Temperature
Its basic usage is as the opposite of "cold."
It was pretty hot today, so I went swimming to cool off.
Don’t touch the plate — it’s very hot.
Anger
It can also refer to someone who is very angry.
Tom was hot about Mark breaking his phone.
Popularity
"Hot" can describe something that is popular or getting a lot of attention.
The celebrity’s strange fashion has been a hot topic on social media.
This is the hottest club in the city, but it’s hard to get in if your name isn’t on the guest list.
Related article: In Vogue: 11 Alternative Expressions for "Popular"
Spiciness
Sometimes "hot" and "spicy" are used interchangeably.
This dish contains lots of peppers, so it can get pretty hot.
Attractiveness
We use “hot” informally to describe someone who is sexually attractive.
There are hot ladies everywhere at the beach today!
You look hot in that outfit.
Vocabulary Words for Hot Weather
Roasting / Boiling / Baking
These words that we normally use for cooking can also refer to very high temperatures in casual conversations.
My air conditioner is broken, so I've been roasting in my apartment this summer.
The weather forecast says it’s supposed to be boiling today.
The heatwave has been baking the southern parts of the country for the past week.
Related article: Essential English Vocabulary for Cooking
Muggy
"Muggy" describes weather that's both hot and humid.
Tokyo summers are very muggy. Be sure to carry a small towel to wipe away the sweat!
Blistering
"Blistering," meaning "extremely hot," is more common in written English than in daily conversations.
The blistering summer heat has broken high-temperature records in cities across the world.
Sweltering / Scorching
"Sweltering" describes weather that's uncomfortably hot.
It's safer to stay indoors than to go out in the sweltering afternoon sun.
It's hard to sleep since it's sweltering even at night.
Scorching
"Scorching" has the same meaning...
I visited Arizona in the summer last year and it was scorching every day!
...but you can also use it in the noun form "scorcher" to refer to a very hot day.
According to the forecast, tomorrow's going to be a scorcher.
Other Heat-Related Terms
Heat exhaustion / Heat stroke / Heat stress
Each of these terms refer to sickness that results from intense heat.
It's important to recognize signs of heat exhaustion, such as confusion and nausea.
Heat stroke is a serious condition that's particularly dangerous for older and younger people.
Drinking plenty of water is a good way to help prevent heat stress.
Cooling center
Cooling centers are public places like libraries, shopping malls and community centers where people can go to cool down with air conditioning and shade from the sun. Some may also provide things like free bottles of water.
Find your nearest cooling centers so you'll know where to go if you're feeling too hot.
Wrap-up
Yes, you can use "hot" to talk about high summer temperatures, but it's only one of many colorful expressions native speakers use. And don't forget that "hot" can mean much more than simply the opposite of "cold" — context is very important!
If you'd like to practice using these terms in a real conversation, give them a try in a lesson with an Engoo tutor. In the meantime, stay cool! 🕶️
