mildly hot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mildly hot" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to describe something that is only slightly or moderately hot, as opposed to being extremely hot. Example: The soup was mildly hot, with just a hint of spice, making it perfect for those who don't enjoy very spicy foods.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

You can start off with a nice array of mildly hot salsas, and a good, but not great, guacamole.

The New York Times - Travel

An amazingly subtle dish of lamb (salli boti) brought julienne of apricots into the delicate, delicious mix; and milagu kozhi chettinad, called deviled chicken and one of the house specialties, had a black peppercorn sauce that was mildly hot.

The New York Times

There is no culinary leitmotif here; the kitchen offers a little of everything, from Yucatan favorites like fried eggs over black beans with a mildly hot ranchero sauce, to a couple of northern Mexican soups, to spicy Tex-Mex food of all kinds.

The New York Times - Travel

The Turkish bath was a series of high-ceilinged rooms, some warm, some mildly hot and some burning.

Forbes

To be fair to our startups, even the biggest sex toy manufacturers in the world have commercials that range from mildly hot to mildly disgusting (yet funny).

TechCrunch

Their average orders are around $350 right now (about one pair of decently hyped sneakers, two pairs of mildly hot sneakers or a half a pair of Yeezys).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Produced as part of a new emphasis on genre entertainments that followed a ban of 11 mildly critical films, "Hot Summer" was not the first East German musical, but it was the first youth musical.

The New York Times

However, Monkey was mildly disturbed by a hot tub full of partially clothed bathers that had been randomly placed next to the presenters' podium.

The Guardian

Bathed in the sunlight of a hot and mildly sticky Sunday afternoon in Midtown Manhattan, Tiana tells me she's been in five separate homeless shelters over the past year, both as a pregnant young woman and now as a mother.

Vice

And now, to put it mildly, things are in a hot mess.

The Guardian

"When I started to see chunks of the ballet," he added, "I realized, to put it mildly, that it was quite hot".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, use "mildly hot" to indicate a level of spiciness that is present but not overwhelming. This helps set expectations for those who prefer less intense flavors.

Common error

Avoid using "mildly hot" when precision is needed. In scientific or technical writing, specify exact temperature ranges instead of relying on subjective descriptors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mildly hot" functions as an adjectival phrase used to describe the degree of heat or spiciness of something. Ludwig examples show it applied to food, environments, and even abstract concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mildly hot" is a grammatically sound and common adjectival phrase used to describe a moderate level of heat or spiciness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and the examples showcase its application across diverse contexts, including food, environments, and abstract concepts. Its primary function is to provide a nuanced description, setting expectations without overwhelming the audience. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly warm

Emphasizes the warmth aspect, reducing the focus on heat.

subtly warm

Focuses on the subtlety of the warmth.

faintly spicy

Highlights the subtle presence of spice.

moderately spicy

Shifts the context specifically to spiciness in food.

a touch of heat

Emphasizes a very small amount of heat.

gently heated

Focuses on the heating process, implying a slow and controlled application of heat.

softly heated

Implies a gentle and diffused heat.

mildly piquant

Uses a more sophisticated term for a slightly sharp or stimulating taste.

somewhat pungent

Highlights a slight sharpness or intensity, not necessarily heat.

lightly seasoned

Focuses on the addition of seasoning, implying a subtle flavor.

FAQs

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

You can use "mildly hot" to describe something that has a slight or moderate level of heat. For example, "The salsa was "mildly hot", perfect for those who don't like too much spice."

What can I say instead of "mildly hot"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly warm", "moderately spicy", or "faintly spicy" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "slightly hot" instead of "mildly hot"?

Yes, "slightly hot" is a valid alternative and conveys a similar meaning to "mildly hot", indicating a small degree of heat.

What's the difference between "mildly hot" and "very hot"?

"Mildly hot" suggests a gentle level of heat that is tolerable and not overwhelming. In contrast, "very hot" implies a high intensity of heat that may be uncomfortable or painful for some.