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sultry

IPA

How to pronounce sultry (audio)

Dictionary definition of sultry

Oppressively hot and humid, often making people feel uncomfortable and drained.
"The sultry night air was thick with humidity."

Detailed meaning of sultry

This term can also refer to a person's appearance, voice or behavior that is sexually alluring, often characterized by an intense and suggestive quality. The term "sultry" is usually associated with a sense of passion, sensuality, and seductiveness, and often used in literature, music, and film to evoke a specific mood or atmosphere. In general, the term conveys a feeling of intense heat and sexuality that can be both alluring and overwhelming.

Example sentences of sultry

1. The sultry evening air wrapped around her as she walked through the city.
2. His eyes met hers, deep and sultry in the dim candlelight.
3. The dancers swayed to the sultry rhythm of the salsa music.
4. She wore a sultry perfume that left a trail of mystery.
5. We spent a sultry summer day at the beach, cooling off in the ocean waves.
6. The room was filled with the sultry tones of a jazz saxophone.

History and etymology of sultry

The adjective 'sultry' has an etymology that can be traced back to Old English and Old Norse. It is derived from the Old English word 'syltran,' which means 'to burn' or 'to glow,' and it is related to the Old Norse word 'sultr,' meaning 'oppressive heat.' Over time, 'sultry' evolved to describe weather or conditions that are oppressively hot and humid, often making people feel uncomfortable and drained. The connection between 'sultry' and the idea of burning or oppressive heat reflects the discomfort associated with such weather conditions. Its etymology, with roots in both Old English and Old Norse, underscores the intense and uncomfortable nature of sultry weather, emphasizing the sensation of burning and heat that it brings.

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Further usage examples of sultry

1. Her sultry voice flowed through the microphone, captivating the audience.
2. The novel was a romantic tale set in a sultry tropical island.
3. He remembered the sultry nights in Spain, full of passion and laughter.
4. The air in the greenhouse was sultry and heavy with the scent of orchids.
5. The sultry desert landscape stretched out, seemingly endless, under the blazing sun.
6. In the sultry lighting of the lounge, couples sat whispering sweet nothings to each other.
7. She gave him a sultry look from across the room.
8. His paintings are famous for their sultry and rich use of color.
9. The sultry weather made everyone sluggish and irritable.
10. The sultry ballad played softly in the background, setting the mood for the evening.
11. Her dress, sultry red with a hint of shimmer, caught everyone's eye.
12. After a sultry day, the unexpected rain felt refreshing.
13. The sultry atmosphere of the mystery novel kept me hooked until the last page.
14. She wore a sultry expression that intrigued me instantly.

Synonyms

clammy
close
moist
steamy
sticky
stifling
stuffy
sweltering
tropical

Quiz categories containing sultry

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clammy,close,moist,steamy,sticky,stifling,stuffy,sweltering,tropical

eb68db_a59d71026b2c43e9a568019c49f7678f.mp3

humid, cool, chilly, freezing

muggy,oppressive

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