What does sultriest mean?
Sultriest is the superlative of sultry, meaning more intensely attractive, alluring, or sensually appealing than someone or something else. It is especially common in descriptions of a person’s gaze, voice, smile, or manner, where it suggests both warmth and mystery. The word can also describe the most oppressive heat or humidity, although its modern use often carries romantic or sensual implications. Because it is a superlative, sultriest implies a comparison, as in “the sultriest voice in the room.” The expression has a slightly literary, promotional, or teasing tone, so writers may choose “most alluring” or “most attractive” when they want a less charged alternative. Even so, the compact form gives dramatic emphasis and is useful whenever a vivid degree of heat or attraction needs to stand out.
adjectiveThe superlative of sultry; more intensely attractive, alluring, or sensually appealing than someone or something else. It can also mean extremely hot and oppressive.
- The most sultry: more intensely attractive, alluring, or sensually appealing than others.
- The most oppressively hot or humid.
"She had the sultriest voice in the room."
"His gaze was the sultriest thing in the entire room."
"They arrived on the sultriest afternoon of the summer."
Heat wave or love song? Sultriest is ready for both: it can crown the hottest day or the most alluring voice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of sultriest
Sultriest is formed by adding the superlative ending -est to sultry. Its English word family descends from Middle English sultry and includes related forms such as the noun sultriness and the adverb sultrily. The superlative suffix reinforces the older word’s associations with intense heat and compelling attraction.
Related word forms
How sultriest is actually used
The word often carries romantic or sensual overtones, though it can also describe oppressive heat. Its superlative form is emphatic and may sound literary, promotional, or teasing; a neutral alternative may be preferable in formal writing when unintended sexual connotations are a concern.
Easily confused with sultriest
Sultry is the base adjective, while sultriest is its superlative form and therefore implies a comparison.