hotshot

hot-shot · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (Informal) A person who is very skilled or successful in a particular field, often with a confident or showy manner.

  2. 2.

    (As adjective) Impressively skillful or important.

  3. 3.

    (Also hot shot) A fast freight train carrying time-sensitive cargo.

Forms

plural: hotshots

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    think you're a hotshot — To have an inflated opinion of oneself
  • •
    hotshot pilot — An exceptionally skilled pilot

Related words

Antonyms: amateur, beginner, novice
See also: expert, prodigy, showoff, whiz
Synonyms: ace, expert, prodigy, star, whiz

Etymology

American English compound from hot (slang for "impressive, exciting") + shot ("an expert, a crack shot"). The term emerged in the early 20th century to describe someone who is highly skilled or thinks highly of themselves.