steamy

UK: ˈstiːmi | US: ˈstiːmi

Definition
  1. adj. filled with or producing steam

  2. adj. (informal) sexually suggestive or arousing

  3. adj. hot and humid

Structure
steam <vapor>y <adjective suffix>
Etymology

The word "steamy" combines "steam" (from Old English stēam, meaning "vapor or gaseous water") with the suffix "-y," which forms adjectives indicating a characteristic (e.g., "cloudy," "windy"). Originally describing literal steam or humidity, it later acquired figurative meanings in the 20th century, particularly in reference to sexually suggestive content due to associations with heat and intensity.

Examples
  1. The bathroom mirror was steamy after her hot shower.

  2. The novel included several steamy scenes that made readers blush.

  3. The tropical jungle felt unbearably steamy in the midday heat.

  4. The kitchen grew steamy as the soup boiled on the stove.

  5. Critics praised the film’s steamy romance plot.