Steamy: meaning, definitions and examples

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steamy

 

[ ˈstiːmi ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

describing atmosphere

Steamy refers to something that is filled with steam or has a lot of moisture in the air. It is often used to describe hot, humid weather or conditions that create a thick mist of water vapor. The term can also refer to something that is exciting, passionate, or sexually charged, often found in romantic or intimate contexts. It portrays an image of warmth and sensuality, evoking feelings of desire or intensity.

Synonyms

humid, moist, muggy, passionate, sensual

Examples of usage

  • The bathroom was steamy after the hot shower.
  • They enjoyed a steamy romance novel.
  • The weather outside was unusually steamy for November.

Translations

Translations of the word "steamy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vaporizado

🇮🇳 भापदार

🇩🇪 dampfig

🇮🇩 beruap

🇺🇦 парний

🇵🇱 parny

🇯🇵 蒸気の

🇫🇷 vapeur

🇪🇸 vaporoso

🇹🇷 buharli

🇰🇷 김이 나는

🇸🇦 بخاري

🇨🇿 horký

🇸🇰 parný

🇨🇳 蒸汽的

🇸🇮 paren

🇮🇸 gufuháð

🇰🇿 буырлы

🇬🇪 ბუღი

🇦🇿 buxarlı

🇲🇽 vaporoso

Etymology

The word 'steamy' originated from the word 'steam', which comes from the Old English 'steam' meaning 'vapour' or 'fume'. The transition to 'steamy' as an adjective happened by the late 19th century, typically to describe environments saturated with moisture, often due to water boiling or condensing. The use of 'steamy' to describe something that is sexually charged or erotic likely emerged in the early to mid-20th century, reflecting societal changes in attitudes toward intimacy and desire. Over time, 'steamy' has also been embraced in popular culture, particularly in literature and media, when referring to romantic encounters or intense physical experiences. The dual meaning of the word, covering both literal moisture and metaphorical heat, has contributed to its enduring appeal and versatility in the English language.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,395, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.