sultry

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Episode: sultry
Date: July 30, 2026
Host: Peter Sokolowski

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Main Theme

This episode introduces and explores the word "sultry." Host Peter Sokolowski defines the term, discusses its meanings (both literal and figurative), and delves into its etymology and usage.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Definition and Usage

• Sultry (adjective):
  • Literal meaning: Very hot and humid – typically used to describe seasons, days, or weather.
  • Figurative meaning: Exciting or capable of exciting strong sexual desire – often describing human qualities like voices, looks, or poses.

Example in Context

• At [00:59], Peter gives a sentence from the Sydney Morning Herald:

  "It’s a sultry morning in the Maldives, and the mechanic is sweating as he tinkers with the sparkling La Marzocco espresso machine. All the while, hopeful guests watch, desperate for a morning hit."

  This showcases both the literal (weather) and figurative (glance or behavior) meanings of "sultry."

Etymology & Related Words

• Origin: "Sultry" is a late 16th-century alteration of the now-obsolete "sultair," which itself was derived from “swelter” (dating back to the 14th century, meaning to suffer, sweat, or be faint from heat, and to become exceedingly hot).
• The word "muggy" is also discussed as a related term for humid weather, originating from an English dialect word "mug," meaning drizzle.
  • Distinction: Unlike "muggy" and "swelter," "sultry" uniquely applies to both literal and figurative heat.

Notable Explanation

• At [01:44], Peter explains:

  “Sultry days and glances both burn hot, one literally, the other figuratively.”

• At [01:57], Peter notes:

  “As when a singer’s sultry voice brings a figuratively hot vibe.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:44] Host (Peter Sokolowski):

  "Sultry days and glances both burn hot, one literally, the other figuratively."

• [01:57] Host (Peter Sokolowski):

  "As when a singer’s sultry voice brings a figuratively hot vibe."

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:42] — Introduction and spelling of "sultry"; definition presented
• [00:59] — Example sentence from Sydney Morning Herald
• [01:18] — Etymology and connection to "swelter"
• [01:44] — Discussion of literal vs. figurative heat in "sultry"
• [01:57] — Usage in describing voices and figurative expression

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Final Note

Peter concludes by reinforcing the dual (literal and figurative) nature of "sultry," making it a versatile word for describing both the weather and the allure of people.

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For more definitions and language fun, visit merriam-webster.com.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign. It's the word of the day for July 30th.

[B]

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[A]

Today's word is sultry. Spelled S U, L, T, R, Y Sultry is an adjective. It means very hot and humid when it describes such things as seasons, days and weather. When it describes things humans do and possess voices, poses, looks and the like, it means exciting or capable of exciting strong sexual desires. Desire. Here's the word used in a sentence from the Sydney Morning Herald It's a sultry morning in the Maldives, and the mechanic is sweating as he tinkers with the sparkling La Mazzarocco espresso machine. All the while, hopeful guests watch, desperate for a morning hit. Sultry days and glances both burn hot, one literally, the other figuratively. Sultry is a late 16th century alteration of the obsolete word sultair, itself an alteration of swelter, which since the 14th century has meant to suffer sweat or be faint from heat, and to become exceedingly hot. Sweltering on a sultry day may also bring the word muggy to mind. That word comes from an English dialectical word, mug, meaning drizzle. Unlike muggy and swelter, sultry, as we said, applies to both literal and figurative heat, as when a singer's sultry voice brings a figuratively hot vibe. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski.

[C]

Visit merriamwebster.com today for definitions, wordplay and trending. Word lookup.