noun

hothouse

Hothouse (noun) means a heated greenhouse used for growing plants that need warmth. Example: “The orchids were kept in a hothouse all winter.”

noun

A heated greenhouse used for growing plants that need warmth.

"The orchids were kept in a hothouse all winter."

An environment, often artificial, that pushes rapid growth or development.

"The academy became a hothouse for young chess talent."

"Critics called the elite school a hothouse that burns kids out early."

A setting charged with tension, intrigue, or conflict.

"The newsroom was a hothouse of rivalry and gossip."

verb

To push a child through an intensively enriched program aimed at speeding up their development.

"Parents who hothouse toddlers with flashcards worry teachers."

How to use hothouse

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLiterally a heated greenhouse; figuratively, any place — good or bad — where things (talent, tension) grow fast.

Common pairings

hothouse environment hothouse flower hothouse a child

Word forms

hothoused past tense, hothouses plural, hothouses singular

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The orchids were kept in a _____ all winter.

Etymology

From Middle English hothous, simply hot + house.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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conservatory indoor garden

Related words

academy greenhouse conservatory menagerie

Rhymes for hothouse

use muse ruse fuse abuse mouse cause house louse pause amuse douse

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Frequently asked questions

What does “hothouse” mean?

The word “hothouse” means a heated greenhouse used for growing plants that need warmth. In plain terms, literally a heated greenhouse; figuratively, any place — good or bad — where things (talent, tension) grow fast.

How do you use “hothouse” in a sentence?

Here is “hothouse” used in a sentence: “The orchids were kept in a hothouse all winter.”

What part of speech is “hothouse”?

Depending on how it is used, “hothouse” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “hothouse” come from?

The word “hothouse” comes from Middle English. From Middle English hothous, simply hot + house.

How many meanings does “hothouse” have?

“Hothouse” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heated greenhouse used for growing plants that need warmth.

People also searched

academy greenhouse conservatory menagerie