sultry

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈsʌltɹi/ UK /ˈsʌltɹi/ See IPA manual

Freq #24691

Meanings

1

adj
characterized by oppressive heat and humidity

The summer was sultry and oppressive.
2

adj
Hot and humid; sweltering.

Other ſignes of the Hiues fullneſſe and readineſſe to ſwarm are at the Hiue-doore, […] Fourthly, their firſt lying forth in foggy and ſultrie mornings & euenings, & going in again when the aire is cleere.
3

adj
Emitting great heat.

The battlefield—an undulating, parched, and dusty expanse—is lying under the sultry sun of a July afternoon.
4

adj
Sexually enthralling.

When Chicanos think about us at all, they perpetuate the stereotypes. Gabacho depiction of us as emotionally unchecked, sultry women lusting after pale bodies is just an extension of the fantasy they have about all women. Such dishonest portrayals are why Chicanas are "breaking the silence," as Rita Sánchez calls it.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · characterized by oppressive... stiflingsulfurous sulphurous

2 adj · hot and humid; sweltering. muggy oppressive sticky sweltering

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

sultry look
a facial expression or gaze that suggests sexual attraction

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From sulter (“verb (obsolete), a variant of swelter”) + -y; compare sweltry.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# sultry

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈsʌltɹi/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈsʌltɹi/
**Frequency rank:** 24691

## Meanings
1. characterized by oppressive heat and humidity
2. Hot and humid; sweltering.
3. Emitting great heat.
4. Sexually enthralling.

## Examples
- The summer was sultry and oppressive.
- Other ſignes of the Hiues fullneſſe and readineſſe to ſwarm are at the Hiue-doore, […] Fourthly, their firſt lying forth in foggy and ſultrie mornings & euenings, & going in again when the aire is cleere.
- The battlefield—an undulating, parched, and dusty expanse—is lying under the sultry sun of a July afternoon.
- When Chicanos think about us at all, they perpetuate the stereotypes. Gabacho depiction of us as emotionally unchecked, sultry women lusting after pale bodies is just an extension of the fantasy they have about all women. Such dishonest portrayals are why Chicanas are "breaking the silence," as Rita Sánchez calls it.

## Etymology
From sulter (“verb (obsolete), a variant of swelter”) + -y; compare sweltry.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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