awfully hot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully hot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe extremely high temperatures or uncomfortable heat conditions. Example: "During the summer, it can get awfully hot in the desert, making it difficult to stay outside for long periods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The Douro Valley of Portugal, where port grapes are grown, is awfully hot, too.

The New York Times - Food

"That's an awfully hot coffee pot / Should I drop it on Donald Trump?

The New Yorker

Spurts of cool water were next, a lovely respite, since it was getting awfully hot in there, then the air jets again, edging me toward blissful oblivion.

The New York Times - Travel

WITH temperatures here regularly hitting triple digits in the summer, the Clear Lake area, about an hour by car northeast of Healdsburg, Calif., seems awfully hot to grow grapes.

The New York Times - Food

But these cities get awfully hot in the summer.

HuffPost

It's getting awfully hot in here, Sis says.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

If you are directly asked whether you will vote to let unemployment benefits expire for millions of Americans, point out that it's awfully cold / hot today.

The New Yorker

Is the neighborhood really hot or awfully cold?

The New York Times

And the "hot properties" included some awfully obscure white coaches, including one from the Canadian Football League, so a lot of justifications are going to ring hollow.

The New York Times

For example, you wouldn't want to tell your grandmother that her gardening clothes make her look hot when really, they're awfully dirty and old.

WikiHow

Still, a hot tub is going to feel awfully nice; in finding "the spot," I'm working muscles I didn't even know I had.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awfully hot" to describe temperatures that are not just warm, but uncomfortably high. For example, you might say, "It's awfully hot today, I think I'll stay inside."

Common error

Avoid using "awfully hot" when describing mildly warm conditions. The word "awfully" implies a significant degree of heat, so reserve it for situations where the temperature is notably high.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully hot" functions as an adverb-adjective combination to describe a high degree of temperature. The adverb "awfully" intensifies the adjective "hot", indicating that something is extremely hot. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

13%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "awfully hot" is a grammatically sound and contextually appropriate way to describe temperatures that are significantly high. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase follows standard English grammar, and while not as common as "very hot" or "extremely hot", it effectively conveys a sense of intense heat. Predominantly found in news and media sources, "awfully hot" serves to express a speaker's perception of discomfort caused by high temperatures. When using "awfully hot", it's best reserved for situations that warrant a description beyond simply 'warm' but closer to 'sweltering', 'scorching', or 'blistering'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incredibly hot

Emphasizes the intensity of the heat, similar to "awfully hot" but with a stronger sense of degree.

extremely hot

A more straightforward and common way to describe high temperatures.

intensely hot

Highlights the intensity of the heat, focusing on its powerful effect.

terribly hot

Similar to "awfully hot" in conveying a high degree of heat, but slightly more dramatic.

unbearably hot

Indicates that the heat is difficult or impossible to tolerate.

scorching hot

Suggests a burning or searing quality to the heat.

sweltering hot

Describes heat that is oppressive and heavy, often accompanied by humidity.

blisteringly hot

Conveys the idea that the heat is so intense it could cause blisters.

fiery hot

Suggests a heat that is reminiscent of fire, very intense.

sizzling hot

Indicates that the heat is so intense it is causing things to sizzle.

FAQs

How can I use "awfully hot" in a sentence?

You can use "awfully hot" to describe weather, objects, or places that have a high temperature. For example: "The desert is "awfully hot" during the summer." or "That coffee is "awfully hot", be careful!"

What's a less intense synonym for "awfully hot"?

If you want to describe something as warm but not extremely so, you could use terms like "warm", "pleasant", or "balmy" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "awfully hot" or "very hot"?

Both "awfully hot" and "very hot" are correct, but "awfully hot" suggests a more extreme or uncomfortable level of heat compared to "very hot".

What are some alternatives to "awfully hot" to describe the weather?

To describe the weather you can use alternatives like "scorching hot", "sweltering hot", or "blisteringly hot".