It seems like every summer breaks records for the hottest temperatures ever, and the summer of 2024, as we write this, is no exception. Inspired by the weather and deep concerns over global warming, this article is going to teach you useful vocabulary to discuss the scorching heat many of us are currently enduring. Read on and stay cool!

Synonyms for ‘Hot’

Adjective	Example
Scorching	They walked all day in the scorching heat.
Baking	We waited for hours in the baking sun.
Searing /ˈsɪrɪŋ/	The searing heat of the desert sun makes every step feel like walking on hot coals.
Sweltering	The workers have to labor under the sweltering sun.
Blistering	During the blistering heatwave, residents are advised to stay indoors.
Sultry = muggy (warm and slightly wet in an unpleasant way)	The afternoon was sultry, with the air thick and heavy.
Parching	After hours of hiking under the parching desert sun, they finally reached an oasis.
Steamy	After the rain, the air is thick and steamy, creating a humid atmosphere that clings to everything.
Sizzling	The asphalt pavement emits a sizzling heat wave.
Torrid (formal) = very hot and dry	The region experienced a torrid heatwave, with temperatures soaring well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for several consecutive days.
Boiling	The city is sweltering under a boiling sun.

Practice

Exercise 1. Click the link here and find the words in the grid.

Exercise 2. Click the link here and unscramble the words.

Embracing the Heat

Task: Complete the text with the adjectives meaning ‘hot.’ Refer to the table above if necessary. The answer key is given below.

Enduring the 1. sc______g heat requires resilience. As the 2. b____g sun beats down relentlessly, every step feels like a test of endurance. The 3. sw_______g air wraps around you with 4. s_____g intensity, making even the simplest tasks challenging. In such 5. b________g conditions, the 6. s____y, 7. m___y atmosphere clings to your skin, adding to the discomfort.

Yet, amidst the 8. p______g sunlight and 9. si_____g heat, there is a quiet strength in embracing the 10. s____y torridness of it all. It’s about finding balance in the 11. b_____g environment, where every moment spent seems to demand extra effort. Embracing the heat means acknowledging its presence, feeling its intensity, and still moving forward despite its challenges. It’s a test of resilience, a reminder of human perseverance in the face of nature’s extremes.

Answer key 🔑

1. scorching
2. baking
3. sweltering
4. searing
5. blistering
6. sultry
7. muggy
8. parching
9. sizzling
10. steamy
11. boiling