sultry

adjective sul·try \ ˈsəl-trē \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of sultry

sultrier; sultriest

1 a : very hot and humid : sweltering

a sultry day

b : burning hot : torrid

a sultry sun

2 a : hot with passion or anger

b : exciting or capable of exciting strong sexual desire

sultry glances

—

sultrily

play \ˈsəl-trə-lē\ adverb

—

sultriness

play \ˈsəl-trē-nəs\ noun

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Examples of sultry in a Sentence

In the one Manet Stephen owned, Young Woman Reclining in Spanish Costume (1862–1863), the plump young model provokes us with her sultry gaze, her awkward semi-recumbent position, her casually defiant cross-dressing in a male torero's shiny trousers, and the come-hither implication of her highlighted hands … —John Updike, New York Review of Books, 5 Oct. 2006
As the fireflies entertain humans all summer long with a magical light show, they are actually cruising the sultry nights in search of love. "Male fireflies fly around flashing their advertisement," says evolutionary ecologist Sara Lewis of Tufts, one of the authors of the study, which appeared in the journal Science recently. —Betsy Mason, Orlando Sentinel, 22 July 2001
In an age when the gangsta rapper is king and pubescent boy and girl groups rule the charts with a tough … version of adolescent bubble-gum pop, Toni Braxton is an anomaly. Her sultry good looks, rich, husky contralto and ability to deliver a line with such mature conviction make her seem older, more experienced than her 26 years. —Gordon Chambers, Essence, April 1994
She looked at him with a sultry glance.
an actress with a sultry voice

Recent Examples of sultry from the Web

But as the story progresses, the folk songs give way, and in some cases reappear as sultry French jazz, an evolution that matches the characters’ own.

— alissa wilkinson, Vox, "Cold War, a decade-spanning Polish romance, will break your heart," 15 May 2018
To help make ends meet, Bill advertises a room for rent, an offer that is quickly taken up by a sultry widow (Simone Missick).

— frank scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Paradise Blue': Theater Review," 15 May 2018
Chris Mazdzer made a sultry appeal for votes The Olympic luger performed a jazzy foxtrot with partner Witney Carson – which included actually dancing on a piano – alluding to old-school Broadway with flashes of Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "Adam Rippon is going to win DWTS and 5 other takeaways from the semifinals," 15 May 2018
Without further ado, here are the sultriest, sootiest ways to create smoky eyes — all under $20.

— devon abelman, Allure, "11 of the Best Smoky Eye Palettes and Kits Under $20," 23 Jan. 2018
Wondering who’s that beautiful, sultry looking woman with a yellow shawl draped around her black dress, pulled-back hair set off with a bright red flower and rose in hand depicted in today’s (Jan. 16) Google Doodle?

— leila cobo, Billboard, "Everything you Need to Know About Katy Jurado, Today's Google Doodle," 16 Jan. 2018
From sultry to spooky, these epic celebrity Halloween costumes are the perfect inspiration for your own look this year.

— harper's bazaar staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "16 Epic Celebrity Halloween Costume Ideas," 1 Oct. 2017
Hurley believes that squinching is the easiest, most effective way to convey confidence and add definition to the face—almost like a more sultry alternative to smizing.

— lauren valenti, Marie Claire, "Is "Squinching" the Celebrity Secret to Looking Perfect in Photos?," 23 July 2015
Today, the sultry smell of black gold still wafts over the Oil Heritage District, located a half-hour drive southwest from the Blue Water Bridge linking Port Huron, Mich., to Point Edward and Sarnia, Ontario.

— claudia capos, BostonGlobe.com, "Black gold fever: Canada celebrates its 160-year oil heritage," 24 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sultry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.