sweltering

[ swel-ter-ing ]
/ ˈswɛl tər ɪŋ /

adjective

suffering oppressive heat.
characterized by oppressive heat; sultry.

Origin of sweltering

First recorded in 1565–75; swelter + -ing2

OTHER WORDS FROM sweltering

swel·ter·ing·ly, adverb un·swel·ter·ing, adjective

Definition for sweltering (2 of 2)

swelter
[ swel-ter ]
/ ˈswɛl tər /

verb (used without object)

to suffer from oppressive heat.

verb (used with object)

to oppress with heat.
Archaic. to exude, as venom.

noun

a sweltering condition.

Origin of swelter

1375–1425; late Middle English swelt(e)ren (v.), equivalent to swelt(en) to be overcome with heat (Old English sweltan to die; cognate with Old Norse svelta, Gothic swiltan) + -eren -er6

OTHER WORDS FROM swelter

un·swel·tered, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for sweltering

British Dictionary definitions for sweltering (1 of 2)

sweltering
/ (ˈswɛltərɪŋ) /

adjective

oppressively hot and humid a sweltering day

Derived forms of sweltering

swelteringly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for sweltering (2 of 2)

swelter
/ (ˈswɛltə) /

verb

(intr) to suffer under oppressive heat, esp to sweat and feel faint
(tr) archaic to exude (venom)
(tr) rare to cause to suffer under oppressive heat

noun

a sweltering condition (esp in the phrase in a swelter)
oppressive humid heat

Word Origin for swelter

C15 swelten, from Old English sweltan to die; related to Old Norse svelta to starve, Old High German swelzan to burn with passion; see sultry