hot headed

USAGE SUMMARY

"hot headed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is impulsive, easily angered, or having a quick temper. Example: "John's hot headed nature often got him into trouble, as he would often lash out without thinking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Jason Calacanis is 75% Green Lantern, so I guess he's more hot headed than me.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He is hot-headed to the point of depravity.

The New York Times

Some point to his emotional volatility and subsequent hot-headed decisionmaking.

HuffPost

Very hot-headed.

The Guardian

Both are hot-headed, emotional, complex characters.

The Guardian - Sport

Not to be as hot-headed as I am.

Independent

Gingrich isn't the answer: he's hot-headed and truculent.

The New York Times

That insulates us from being a hot-headed legislature.

The New Yorker

He even makes jokes about his hot-headed reputation.

The Economist

He was hot-headed, hungry, entrepreneurial and eager to succeed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mladic was the hot-headed bulldozer of the three.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this phrase for describing temperament or personality traits rather than physical temperature to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Do not use "hot headed" to describe someone suffering from a fever or physical warmth. The phrase is strictly metaphorical, referring to emotional volatility and lack of self-control. For physical temperature, use terms like "feverish" or "overheated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hot headed" functions as a compound adjective used to characterize individuals who are prone to sudden outbursts of anger or impulsive behavior. In the examples provided by Ludwig AI, it frequently modifies nouns such as "patriot", "revolutionary" or "chef", often appearing in both its open and hyphenated forms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hot headed" is a robust and widely accepted idiomatic adjective phrase in English. According to Ludwig AI, it is most commonly used in journalism and general writing to describe individuals who act impulsively or are easily angered. While it is grammatically correct to write it as two words, the hyphenated form "hot-headed" is the standard in professional publishing when modifying a noun. The data shows that it is a versatile term, used to describe figures ranging from politicians like Newt Gingrich to fictional characters and athletes. For writers seeking to vary their tone, antonyms like level-headed or more formal synonyms like "irascible" can be useful. Ultimately, it remains a powerful tool for characterization that bridges the gap between casual conversation and high-level reportage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quick-tempered

Focuses specifically on the speed at which someone becomes angry

short-fused

An idiomatic expression emphasizing a lack of patience and immediate reaction

impetuous

Highlights acting quickly without thought or care rather than just anger

irascible

A more formal and literary term for someone who is easily provoked

fiery

Suggests a passionate and intense nature that can lead to anger

volatile

Describes a personality that changes rapidly and unpredictably

rash

Emphasizes the lack of consideration for consequences in decision-making

touchy

Implies being easily offended or oversensitive rather than aggressive

ill-tempered

A broader term for someone who is generally unpleasant or irritable

prone to outbursts

Describes the behavioral manifestation of the temperament more literally

FAQs

Is it "hot headed" or "hot-headed"?

Both are used, but "hot-headed" is the preferred spelling in most style guides when the phrase appears before a noun. If it follows a verb, as in "he is hot headed", the hyphen is often omitted.

What can I say instead of "hot headed"?

You can use synonyms like "quick-tempered", "short-fused" or ""impetuous"" depending on whether you want to emphasize the anger or the lack of forethought.

Is "hot headed" a negative term?

Yes, it generally carries a negative connotation because it implies a lack of self-discipline and emotional maturity. However, in some contexts like sports or competitive business, it might be used to describe someone with intense, albeit unchanneled, passion.

What is the opposite of being "hot headed"?

The most common antonym is "level-headed", which describes someone who remains calm and sensible under pressure.