not very hot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very hot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temperature that is mild or lukewarm, often in relation to food, weather, or other contexts where heat is a factor. Example: "The soup was not very hot, making it easy to eat right away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

7.03pm: The good news: it's not very hot.

The Guardian - Sport

Britain's 51 other regional forces may have spent more.In this section Stoppable force meets immovable object Booted and suited Justice, of a sort Time to show your hand, or fold Not very hot Worlds apart Peter's pet Reprints Related items Secret evidence in court: Time to show your hand, or foldJun 11th 2009It seems a lot for a line that, in one month last year, rang only six times a day.

The Economist

I had never played tennis in South Korea before and as it was September it was pretty comfortable, sometimes humid or windy but not very hot.

BBC

The water temperature at Gaet'ale is not very hot to the touch, unlike the nearby Black Water spring, where the temperature is very hot, as tested by our group, and was measured as 70 °C (Darrah et al. 2012).

Journal of Applied Volcanology

He is of course, one of only two seamers in the England side and I think that's the right decision because it's not very hot so the pace bowlers will not be flogging themselves into the ground.

BBC

The vents are "not very hot, but there still must be a mechanism for how they are formed" in an area not affected by volcanic eruptions, says Susan Humphris, a geologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Probably not, but make sure it isn't very hot, WHO says.

Los Angeles Times

"The only enthusiastic supporters of her campaign are Hollywood celebrities, in many cases celebrities that aren't very hot anymore," Trump said.

Los Angeles Times

If, for some reason, he isn't very hot, just give him a good grooming.

WikiHow

When charging the charger, make sure the batteries do not get VERY VERY hot.

WikiHow

She may also have to be not-very-hot.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing temperatures, be specific about the context. For instance, use "not very hot" to describe weather, food, or liquids when a precise temperature reading isn't necessary, but a general sense of mildness is sufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "not very hot" in highly formal or scientific writing where precise temperature measurements are expected. Instead, provide specific temperature values or use more technical descriptions like "slightly elevated temperature".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very hot" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun. It describes a state of being where something lacks significant heat. Ludwig shows that it is used to describe temperatures that are mild or lukewarm.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not very hot" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is only mildly warm, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile enough for use in various contexts, ranging from describing weather to the temperature of food. While generally suitable for neutral to informal communication, it should be avoided in highly formal or scientific settings where precise temperature measurements are required. According to Ludwig, several alternatives exist, such as "lukewarm", "mildly warm", and "slightly warm", allowing for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not particularly hot

Adds emphasis to the lack of significant heat.

lukewarm

Single word that directly describes a temperature that is neither hot nor cold.

mildly warm

Emphasizes a slight degree of warmth, softer than "hot".

slightly warm

Indicates a minimal amount of heat, less intense than "very hot".

moderately warm

Indicates that something is warm but not excessively so.

tepid

Describes a liquid that is only slightly warm; more formal.

barely warm

Highlights the minimal level of warmth present.

coolish

Indicates a slight coolness, implying a lack of significant heat.

hardly hot

Stresses the lack of heat more emphatically.

somewhat cool

Focuses on the cooler side of the temperature spectrum, implying a lack of heat.

FAQs

How can I use "not very hot" in a sentence?

You can use "not very hot" to describe something that is mildly warm or lukewarm. For example, "The tea was "not very hot", so I could drink it immediately".

What's a more formal way to say "not very hot"?

In a more formal context, you could say "moderately warm", "slightly elevated", or "tepid" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, instead of "the water was "not very hot"", you could say "the water was moderately warm".

What are some alternatives to "not very hot"?

Alternatives include "lukewarm", "mildly warm", or "slightly warm". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of warmth you want to describe.

Is it ever incorrect to use "not very hot"?

While grammatically correct, "not very hot" might be too informal for certain scientific or technical contexts where precise measurements or descriptions are required. In such cases, more specific and technical terms are preferable.