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
If you've lived here for more than a hot second, you realize there's a style to Seattle.—Michelle Li
Can we just take one hot second here and give these cheesecake pancakes our undivided attention?—Alexa Mellardo

Examples of hot second in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Let’s back up for a hot second. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026 Could this show of spine by non-winger Republicans last more than a hot second? — Michelle Cottle, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024 That continued the center fielder’s hot second half. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025 Claire becomes a spy for the Continental Army for, like, one hot second. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hot second

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hot second was in 1977

Rhymes for hot second

See All Rhymes for hot second

Browse Nearby Words

hot seat
hot second
hot shit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hot second.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hot%20second. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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