smoldering hot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smoldering hot" is correct and usable in written English when describing temperatures or emotions.
For example, "The smoldering hot summer sun beat down on the beachgoers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In June, the trees were no longer on fire outside the town, but crews were overturning peat with backhoes in an effort to extinguish smoldering hot spots.

The New York Times - Science

Analysis showed that the observed spontaneous ignition was likely a result of pyrolysis gas from inner XLPE insulation piloted by the smoldering hot spot (600~700 °C) on the outer charring PVC sheath.

Fire Safety Journal

Team I'm most likely to be attacked for giving a short shift to this week in the comments section: The Portland Trail Blazers (27-8) whonlyonly defeat in their last six games was Saturday's 115-107 loss to the still smoldering hot Atlanta Hawks.

The Guardian - Sport

Just to the south of the city limits, fire crews were attacking smoldering hot spots with water and hand tools.

Los Angeles Times

Scene 1; a smoldering hot guy enters the room and asks a beautiful long haired woman - '¿Que hora es? 'Ochoho (Eight),' she replies after a pregnant pause.

Huffington Post

Once you have left your lover wanting more, follow-up during the day with some sexy texts and photos to keep the fires smoldering hot.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In a word, Berkeley's protest smoldered, becoming hotter and hotter as the day went on.

Huffington Post

In most of the places the Walhi crew visited, the fires appeared to have been extinguished, but the earth remained hot, smoldering underground.

The New York Times - Magazine

David Cohen, the deputy commissioner for intelligence, compares such work to raking coals in a fire pit: "You might find a smoldering ember — a hot spot waiting to catch fire".

The New York Times - Books

His entire persona is satire, aimed at poking fun at traditional sports media, players and coaches who traffic in clichés, and of loudmouth fans raised in a smoldering universe of hot takes.

The Washington Post

This involves spraying down smoldering ashes and hot spots, clearing away dead and burned brush, and cutting down charred trees so they don't fall.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smoldering hot" to describe something that is not only very hot but also has a slow-burning or intense quality, either literally (like embers) or figuratively (like emotions).

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, "smoldering hot" can sound melodramatic in formal or academic writing. Consider using more neutral terms like "intensely hot" or specifying the degree of heat with precise measurements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smoldering hot" primarily functions as a compound adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that possesses both heat and a smoldering quality. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smoldering hot" is a grammatically correct and usable adjective phrase that describes something with intense heat and a slow-burning quality. As Ludwig confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, though less common in formal academic writing. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, and less so in encyclopedias and wikis. Alternatives include "intensely hot" or "burning intensely", depending on the specific nuance desired. When writing, consider the context and audience to determine if "smoldering hot" or a more neutral alternative is most appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensely hot

This alternative focuses on the high degree of heat, omitting the 'smoldering' aspect which implies a slow, contained burn.

burning intensely

This phrase emphasizes the active process of burning, rather than the contained heat suggested by 'smoldering'.

extremely hot

This is a more general term for high temperature, lacking the specific imagery of something that is 'smoldering'.

white-hot

This suggests a very high temperature, often associated with metal or intense flames, differing from the slower burn implied by 'smoldering'.

red-hot

Similar to 'white-hot' but implies a slightly lower temperature, still more intense than 'smoldering'.

glowing ember

This phrase focuses on the visual aspect of a smoldering fire, specifically the hot, glowing remains.

feverish

When used figuratively, this describes intense emotion or activity, similar to the intensity implied by 'smoldering hot'.

sultry

This term often describes weather or an atmosphere that is oppressively hot and humid, sharing the intense feeling conveyed by 'smoldering hot'.

passionate

This alternative is used to describe a kind of intense desire or emotion, without the reference to temperature or heat.

ardent

This term is used to describe an intense feeling of enthusiasm or love.

FAQs

How can "smoldering hot" be used in a sentence?

You can use "smoldering hot" to describe physical objects, like "The coals were "smoldering hot"" or to describe emotional states, such as "Their passion was "smoldering hot"".

What are some synonyms for "smoldering hot"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "intensely hot", "burning intensely", or "extremely hot". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "smoldering hot" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "smoldering hot" can sound informal or melodramatic in some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "intensely hot" for a professional tone.

What's the difference between "smoldering hot" and "burning hot"?

"Smoldering hot" implies a slow, contained burn and heat, while "burning hot" suggests a more active and intense flame. Therefore, a "smoldering hot" fire is still burning, but more slowly than something "burning hot".