Word
hotly
Phoneticshot·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɑtɫi/
UK/hˈɒtli/
Definition
adv. in a way that shows a lot of strong emotion or anger. You use this to describe a debate or a race that is very competitive and exciting.
adv. in a manner involving intense emotion, especially anger or excitement. Often used to describe the pace or intensity of a debate, a race, or a competition.
Examples
“The two teams debated the issue hotly.”
“The candidates debated the new tax policy hotly during the final election night.”
“The championship race was hotly contested throughout the final lap, with both drivers pushing their vehicles to the absolute limit of their mechanical capabilities.”
Examples
simple
“The two teams debated the issue hotly.”
contextual
“The candidates debated the new tax policy hotly during the final election night.”
complex
“The championship race was hotly contested throughout the final lap, with both drivers pushing their vehicles to the absolute limit of their mechanical capabilities.”
Real-World Examples
“So if you’re managing an awards push for a hotly tipped horror, what road do you take?” Etymology
From Middle English hotly, hatliche, from Old English hātlīċe (“ardently, fervently”); equivalent to hot + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/hotly