sultry - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
sultry Word Meanings
- hot and humid weather
- sexy and attractive
- oppressive or stifling atmosphere
sultry Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
sultry Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈsʌltri/
US
/ˈsʌltri/
sultry Word Etymology
sultry = sul- ('from') + try ('to do') / Latin (sultricus) → Middle English → English. Imagine a sultry day where the air hangs heavy and thick, like a weight on your chest, making everything feel languid and slow.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Sultry describes weather that is hot and humid, the air feeling thick and clingy, making movement slow and breaths heavier. It also describes a person or atmosphere that seems sexy, alluring, or sensually charged, often with a hint of danger or intensity. When weather is sultry, people might sweat easily, shade and ventilation matter, and evenings feel sticky. In figurative uses, a sultry setting can heighten tension or mood. Avoid overusing the word for mild warmth; it carries a strong connotation of weight, heat, and a certain smoldering allure. Compare muggy, humid, oppressive, and steamy for nuance.
Usage Reminders
- Use sultry for strong mood or heat.
- Treat it as both weather and atmosphere/appearance.
- Reserve for dramatic, erotic, or oppressively hot contexts.
- Pair with nouns like heat, air, night, or mood.
- Avoid casual warmth; it’s more intense than simply warm.
- Compare with muggy, humid, oppressive, or steamy to pick nuance.
Common Misconceptions
- It is only about weather and never about mood or people.
- It means merely hot and dry; humidity is not part of the sense.
- It always has a positive, sexy connotation and never feels oppressive.
- It is a casual everyday adjective and can replace warm or hot in any context.
- It is interchangeable with humid or muggy in all situations.
Thinking Differences
English learners should note that sultry spans weather and mood, so context matters; avoid using it for mild warmth, and beware the sensual tone in formal writing.
Learning Tips
- Hear and repeat the two main senses of sultry to anchor memory.
- Notice how it pairs with nouns like heat, air, night, or mood.
- Read literary samples to sense the mood connotation.
- Avoid using for mild warmth in casual writing.
- Distinguish between muggy/humid and oppressive when describing weather.
- Practice translating into your language with careful nuance.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'sultry'?
A.Confused
B.Quick
C.Energetic
D.Hot and humid
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'sultry' correctly?
A.The beach was deserted on that sultry afternoon.
B.The sultry music filled the room with energy.
C.He quickly completed the sultry puzzle.
D.She was confused about the sultry weather.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'sultry'?
A.Muggy
B.Cold
C.Dry
D.Bright
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'sultry'?
A.Windy
B.Chilly
C.Foggy
D.Sunny
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you most likely experience a 'sultry' day?
A.Skiing in the mountains
B.Sunbathing on a tropical beach
C.Having a picnic by the lake
D.Building a snowman
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