what does sultry mean
“Sultry” has two main meanings in English:
- About weather or air
- Very hot, heavy, and often humid; feels oppressive and uncomfortable.
* Example: “We walked home in the sultry summer night.”
- About a person, look, or voice
- Sexually attractive in a slow, intense, or smoldering way; often suggests a low, warm voice or an alluring expression.
* Example: “The actor gave a sultry glance at the camera.”
Quick nuances
- It does not mean “slutty”; it’s closer to “alluring,” “sexy,” or “sensual,” and can be used as a compliment in the right context.
- In fashion/beauty talk, you’ll see phrases like “sultry eyes,” “sultry makeup,” or “sultry look” for dark, smoky, or smoldering styles.
- In news and writing, “sultry” still commonly appears in descriptions of summer heat or nightlife scenes.
So if you see “sultry” in a sentence, check whether it’s describing the weather (hot and humid) or a person/vibe (smoldering and sexy).
