hot second
noun
informal
: a very brief span of time : second, moment
I want to be your lawyer, because you're going to win your lawsuit in a hot second.—
Nicole Makris
Nicole MakrisIf you've lived here for more than a hot second, you realize there's a style to Seattle.—Michelle Li
Michelle LiCan we just take one hot second here and give these cheesecake pancakes our undivided attention?—Alexa Mellardo
Alexa MellardoExamples of hot second in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Let’s back up for a hot second.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
Against Maryland, Marsh single-handledly put the Terrapins away, scoring a season high 20, 17 of which came in a scorching-hot second half.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Due primarily to the timing of major studio film release dates, a weak first quarter was followed by a blazing hot second quarter, which then was followed by a softening third quarter.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
That continued the center fielder’s hot second half.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
For a hot second, sweatpants that look like jeans were trending, and Bloomingdale’s fashion director Marissa Galante Franke adores this casual pair from Rag & Bone.
—Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 28 July 2025
Why is Owen totally cool with Amelia hopping in a getaway car for a hot second before walking down the aisle?
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 May 2025
The most recent politician to learn this lesson was South Dakota governor Kristi Noem, who for a hot second last spring looked like a powerful contender as Donald Trump’s 2024 VP pick.
—Benjamin Svetkey, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 July 2024
Could this show of spine by non-winger Republicans last more than a hot second?
—Michelle Cottle, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
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David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
Against Maryland, Marsh single-handledly put the Terrapins away, scoring a season high 20, 17 of which came in a scorching-hot second half.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Due primarily to the timing of major studio film release dates, a weak first quarter was followed by a blazing hot second quarter, which then was followed by a softening third quarter.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
That continued the center fielder’s hot second half.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
For a hot second, sweatpants that look like jeans were trending, and Bloomingdale’s fashion director Marissa Galante Franke adores this casual pair from Rag & Bone.
—Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 28 July 2025
Why is Owen totally cool with Amelia hopping in a getaway car for a hot second before walking down the aisle?
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 May 2025
The most recent politician to learn this lesson was South Dakota governor Kristi Noem, who for a hot second last spring looked like a powerful contender as Donald Trump’s 2024 VP pick.
—Benjamin Svetkey, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 July 2024
Could this show of spine by non-winger Republicans last more than a hot second?
—Michelle Cottle, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Hot second.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hot%20second. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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