white-hot

[ hwahyt-hot, wahyt- ]

adjective

1. extremely hot.
2. showing white heat.
3. exceedingly enthusiastic, ardent, angry, devoted, etc.; impassioned; perfervid:

   a fierce, white-hot loyalty to the king.

white-hot

adjective

1. at such a high temperature that white light is emitted
2. informal.
   in a state of intense emotion

Word History and Origins

Origin of white-hot¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Instead of white-hot charges like “Marxist,” they use a more traditional — and more accurate — label: “San Francisco liberal.”

From Los Angeles Times

The white-hot chemical substance can set buildings on fire and burn human flesh down to the bone.

From Seattle Times

The national attention is less remarkable to those in Florida, where the Donaldses have spent years building a name — and a business — for themselves in the state’s white-hot battles over schools.

From New York Times

A great deal of the enjoyment of “Hit Man” comes from simply witnessing Powell and Arjona’s white-hot chemistry.

From New York Times

The sun is a white-hot ball of plasma that's boiling on its surface.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• ardent
• fervent
• fierce
• fiery
• heated
• intense
• passionate
• rousing
• sentimental
• stirring