English Meaning & Definitions
A controversial issue or topic that is likely to trigger strong emotional reactions or intense debate among people.
- “Climate change remains a hot button for many voters in the upcoming election.”
- “The company decided to avoid discussing hot button social issues during the quarterly earnings call.”
Relating to or causing strong emotional reactions or controversy.
- “The senator gave a speech on several hot-button topics, including healthcare reform and taxation.”
- “She is known for her ability to navigate hot-button negotiations without losing her composure.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “hot button”.
The term originated in the mid-20th century, likely derived from the marketing and psychological concept of a 'button' that, when pressed, triggers an immediate, automatic, or emotional response. It gained widespread usage in political and media discourse during the 1980s to describe issues that provoke intense public debate.
Imagine a literal red button on a machine labeled 'ANGER'—when you press it, the machine gets 'hot' and explodes with emotion.
Frequently Asked Questions About “hot button”
1. What is the meaning of “hot button” in English?
In English, hot button (noun) is defined as: “A controversial issue or topic that is likely to trigger strong emotional reactions or intense debate among people.”.
2. How do you use “hot button” in a sentence?
“Climate change remains a hot button for many voters in the upcoming election.”
3. What are English synonyms of “hot button”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “hot button”?
The term originated in the mid-20th century, likely derived from the marketing and psychological concept of a 'button' that, when pressed, triggers an immediate, automatic, or emotional response. It gained widespread usage in political and media discourse during the 1980s to describe issues that provoke intense public debate.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.