sultry
UK: ˈsʌltri | US: ˈsʌltri
adj. (of weather) hot and humid
adj. (of a person or manner) suggesting passion or sensuality
sultr<sweltering> + y<adjective suffix>
- sultr: Derived from obsolete English sulter (to swelter), related to swelter (to suffer from oppressive heat).
- y: A common English suffix forming adjectives (e.g., cloudy, windy).
Etymology Origin:
The word sultry originated in the late 16th century, combining sulter (an archaic term for oppressive heat) with the adjectival suffix -y. Its dual meanings—literal (hot weather) and figurative (passionate demeanor)—reflect the metaphorical link between physical heat and emotional intensity. The root sultr shares ancestry with swelter, reinforcing its connection to stifling conditions.
The sultry afternoon air made it hard to breathe.
She gave him a sultry glance across the crowded room.
Tropical nights are often sultry and still.
His voice was low and sultry, dripping with charm.
The sultry climate of the rainforest demands light clothing.