torrid

UK: /ˈtɒrɪd/ US: /ˈtɔrɪd, ˈtɑr-/ ,(tôr′id, tor′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

tor•rid /ˈtɔrɪd, ˈtɑr-/   adj. 

1. exposed to the effects of parching heat of the sun:
   The torrid zone was hot all year.
2. extremely hot, parching, or burning, as climate or air:
   a torrid summer day.
3. passionate:
   a torrid love affair.

tor•rid•i•ty/tɔˈrɪdɪti/  tor•rid•ness, n. [uncountable]
tor•rid•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tor•rid  (tôr′id, tor′-), adj. 

1. subject to parching or burning heat, esp. of the sun, as a geographical area:
   the torrid sands of the Sahara.
2. oppressively hot, parching, or burning, as climate, weather, or air.
3. ardent;
   passionate:
   a torrid love story.

• Latin torridus dried up, parched, equivalent. to torr(ēre) to parch, burn (see torrent, thirst) + -idus -id⁴
• 1580–90

tor•rid ′i•ty, tor′rid•ness, n. 
tor ′rid•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. tropical.
• 2. scorching, fiery.

Antonyms

• 1. arctic.
• 2. frigid.
• 3. cool.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

torrid / ˈtɒrɪd/ adjective

1. so hot and dry as to parch or scorch
2. arid or parched
3. highly charged emotionally: a torrid love scene

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin torridus, from torrēre to scorch

torˈridity, ˈtorridness noun

ˈtorridly adverb