sultry

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sultry' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a hot and humid atmosphere or a person who is considered to be sexy and alluring. For example, "The sultry summer night filled the air with a humid heat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I still dream about the sultry duck liver mousse with almond biscuits; the 'State Bird' – a quail – grilled into smokiness on its bed of gently pickled, sautéed onions and crowned with Parmesan; the smoked duck ham with umeboshi.

The Guardian - Travel

Although Lester whacks off in the shower, lusts and drools over his daughter's sultry best friend and blackmails his boss when he is fired, the film concerns itself as much with suburban morality and teenage angst as it does with the male menopause.

The Guardian - Film

Scott was strong and sultry, her heavy dark eyebrows contrasting with her blonde hair.

The Guardian - Film

His textile emporium is an Aladdin's cave of glowing brocades, sultry velvets, sequins and lace.

The Economist

Her radio manner was jolly rather than sultry.

The Economist

ON THE kind of hot, sultry day in which the brutal Delhi summer specialises, the attractions of lingering languidly over gold jewellery in air-conditioned comfort are easily understood.

The Economist

Cars were drawn up close to the court, doors open, pumping out a heavy urban beat into the sultry air.

The Economist

Lovers of the high life will be reunited with John Singer Sargeant's full-length portrait of sultry "Madame X" (pictured below), with her pink-tipped retrousse nose and once-slipping shoulder strap (subsequently re-painted to avert a scandal).

The Economist

Her lips were full, sultry or sulking, her expression unblinking; she seldom smiled.

The Economist

He promised to "armour plate" anti-poverty programmes from electoral meddling, prosecute any officials who abuse them in the run up to local elections on July 7th, and ban the distribution of goodies for 45 days beforehand.Veracruz is just the sort of sultry backwater where such a promise may be hard to keep.

The Economist

The heroes of "Canarino David, an American investment banker working in London, and his beautiful, refined wife, Elizabeth live in such a world.One sultry summer night, David finds himself alone in his Belgravia mansion but for the dog and one of the Filipina maids.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sultry" to evoke a specific atmosphere or to describe someone with a very attractive and sensual quality. Be mindful of the connotations and ensure it fits the overall tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "sultry" to describe situations that are merely hot or humid without any added element of allure or sensuality. Overuse can make your writing sound cliché or unintentionally humorous.

Linguistic Context

Sultry functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a particular quality, whether it's related to the weather (e.g., "sultry air") or a person's appearance or demeanor (e.g., "sultry look"). Ludwig AI confirms its typical adjectival use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Encyclopedias

39%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sultry" is a common adjective used to describe both weather conditions and a person's attractiveness, often implying a combination of heat, humidity, and sensuality. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct. It's predominantly found in News & Media and Encyclopedias, which reflects its usage in describing environments and individuals. While the word carries a connotation of sexual attractiveness, its general usage remains relatively neutral in tone. When using "sultry", consider the context to ensure it appropriately conveys the intended meaning and doesn't lead to unintended interpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humid

Focuses on the moisture and heaviness of the air, similar to one aspect of "sultry".

sweltering

Emphasizes the oppressive heat, a key characteristic of a "sultry" atmosphere.

sensual

Captures the alluring and sexually suggestive aspect often associated with "sultry".

sexy

A direct synonym when "sultry" describes a person or atmosphere evoking sexual attraction.

steamy

Captures the combination of heat and suggestiveness that "sultry" can convey.

torrid

Highlights the intensely hot and passionate nature, akin to the "sultry" feeling.

heavy with heat

Describes the intense and stifling quality of "sultry" weather.

alluring

Focuses on the captivating and attractive quality that "sultry" can imply.

seductive

Emphasizes the tempting and enticing nature, similar to the "sultry" charm.

oppressively hot

Focuses on the burdensome and uncomfortable aspect of a "sultry" climate.

FAQs

How can I use "sultry" in a sentence?

You can use "sultry" to describe hot and humid weather, as in "a sultry summer evening", or to describe someone's attractiveness, such as "a sultry glance".

What's the difference between "sultry" and "sensual"?

"Sultry" often implies a combination of heat and sensuality, while "sensual" focuses more directly on the stimulation of the senses. You might describe a voice as "sensual", but weather as "sultry".

What can I say instead of "sultry" when describing weather?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you could use alternatives such as "humid", "sweltering", or "oppressive".

Is "sultry" only used to describe women?

While "sultry" is often used to describe women, it can also be used to describe men or an atmosphere that evokes a similar feeling of allure and heat. The key is to consider the context.