hot rod

¹

noun

, Slang.

1. an automobile specially built or altered for fast acceleration and increased speed.

hot-rod

²

[ hot-rod ]

verb (used without object)

, hot-rod·ded, hot-rod·ding.

1. to drive a hot rod.
2. to drive very fast.

verb (used with object)

, hot-rod·ded, hot-rod·ding.

1. to drive (a vehicle) very fast.
2. to adapt (a vehicle or its engine) for increased speed.

hot rod

noun

1. a car with an engine that has been radically modified to produce increased power

Word History and Origins

Origin of hot rod¹

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45

Origin of hot rod²

First recorded in 1945–50

Idioms and Phrases

An automobile modified to increase its speed and acceleration, as in Kids love to tinker with cars and try to convert them into hot rods . [Mid-1900s] Also see hopped up .

Example Sentences

“We had a good race car and what keeps me alive is driving this hot rod and all these fans,” Force said.

From Seattle Times

Although hot rods were made popular in the 1970s because of movies such as “American Graffiti” and muscle cars became a staple on Southern California streets, lowriders were designed to be low and slow.

From Los Angeles Times

He started with small, thickly painted works barely 8 inches square, framed in wood as exquisitely polished as the finish on his old hot rods.

From Los Angeles Times

Anderson recorded Chandler pushing her walker and jokingly said, “Slow down hot rod.”

From Los Angeles Times

Southern California remains synonymous with classic and customized cars of yesteryear, from hot rods to lowriders.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• stock car