Describing Temperature: English Vocabulary List

extremely hot and uncomfortable, often causing sweating

"Today is sweltering."

"The sweltering heat made it impossible to go outside without air conditioning so everyone stayed indoors with the fans running all day."

so hot as to produce a hissing or crackling sound

"The bacon is sizzling."

"The sizzling sound of the bacon cooking in the pan made everyone in the kitchen feel hungry and eager for breakfast to be ready."

becoming dried, often due to intense heat or a lack of moisture

"The sun is parching."

"The parching desert sun dried out his skin and made his lips crack and bleed after just a few hours of exposure."

relating to or involving the transformation of heat energy

"The thermic effect is strong."

"The thermic effect of the spicy food made him sweat and his face turn red even though the room was actually quite cool."

characterized by high humidity and oppressive warmth

"The weather is muggy."

"The muggy summer air felt thick and heavy making it hard to breathe and causing everyone to sweat through their clothes within minutes."

(of weather) having a sharp, cold quality

"The morning air is nippy."

"The nippy morning air made her shiver so she grabbed a warm coat before leaving the house to walk to the bus stop."

extremely cold

"The algid wind blew all night."

"The algid water of the mountain stream was too cold to swim in even on the hottest day of the summer."