Hotly
/ˈhɑːtli/
adverbB2
Definition
Hotly is an adverb that describes doing an action with strong emotion or energy. It often means people argue or discuss something with heat (strong feelings), like anger or excitement. It can also mean something happens in a very intense or fast way.
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See It in Action
With strong emotion, especially anger or passion
- •They hotly debated the new law during the meeting.
- •She hotly denied the accusations against her.
- •The two teams hotly contested the championship title.
With great intensity or speed
- •The runners hotly competed to finish first.
- •The issue was hotly discussed in the news.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'hotly' like 'strongly,' but with more emotion, like heat inside a person
- ✓Picture a fire burning fast and bright—that is the feeling of 'hotly'
- ✓It's the feeling when you really care or get upset about something, like a heated argument
- ✓Sounds like 'HOT-lee' → imagine someone so hot with anger or passion that steam comes out
- ✓Remember when people say 'hot debate' or 'hot topic'—these are things that cause strong feelings or fast action
- ✓NOT like 'calmly' (quiet and peaceful), 'hotly' means loud, strong, or intense
- ✓NOT like 'slowly' (takes time), 'hotly' suggests speed or strong energy
Try Other Words
- •Passionately: with strong feeling or emotion (Use when emphasizing deep feeling or love, not just anger)
- •Intensely: with great strength or force (Use when focusing on power or concentration, less about emotion)
- •Fiercely: with strong, aggressive energy (Use when the action is very forceful or angry)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "hot" (warm, strong feeling) + suffix "-ly" (makes an adverb, meaning "in a way that is")
- •Etymology: From Old English "hot," meaning warm or intense, with "-ly" added to show manner of action
- •Historical development: Used since Middle English to describe actions done with heat or strong feeling
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe arguments, contests, feelings, or actions done with strong emotion or intensity
Reflect & Connect
•In what situations might it be better to avoid acting hotly, and why?
•Can something be hotly debated without people getting angry? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.They hotly ___ the decision because it affected their jobs deeply.
2.When she was accused unfairly, she hotly ___ her innocence.
3.The two candidates hotly ___ for the voters' support in the election.
4.The topic was hotly ___ in the meeting, showing how important it was.
5.Unlike calm talks, a hotly ___ argument often has strong emotions and fast words.
6.People hotly ___ the results, showing their passion for the competition.
7.Even though they disagreed, they did not hotly ___, keeping respect in the discussion.