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Definitions

hotshot

[hot-shot] / ˈhɒtˌʃɒt /
ADJECTIVE
adept
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accomplished adroit capable deft proficient skilled skillful versed
STRONG
ace clean crack crackerjack expert quick savvy sharp slick smooth there whiz wizard
WEAK
brainy dexterous hot know stuff masterful masterly no dummy no slouch nobody's fool on the ball on the beam practiced sharp as a tack up to speed
Antonyms
STRONGEST
awkward clumsy green incapable incompetent inept inexperienced unable unskilled unskillful
STRONG
coarse ignorant indefinite lazy rough slow stupid unintelligent
ADJECTIVE
big deal
Synonyms
STRONG
big-league big-time significant substantial
ADJECTIVE
brazen
Synonyms
STRONGEST
audacious blatant bold impudent shameless unabashed
STRONG
flip forward
WEAK
barefaced brassy cheeky cocky contumelious defiant flashy gritty gutsy immodest impertinent indecent insolent loud meretricious nervy overbold pert saucy smart-alecky smart-ass spunky tawdry unblushing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
humble meek modest quiet retiring shy timid
WEAK
shamed shamefaced
ADJECTIVE
cocky
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrogant brash cocksure overconfident presumptuous self-confident
WEAK
bumptious certain conceited confident egotistical hubristic know-it-all lordly nervy overweening positive smart-alecky smarty-pants sure swaggering swollen-headed vain
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cautious humble meek self-doubting unsure
WEAK
modest shy tentative timid uncertain
ADJECTIVE
foremost
Synonyms
WEAK
A number one A-1 arch at the cutting edge at the leading edge champion chief front head headmost heavy heavy stuff heavyweight highest hot stuff hotdog inaugural initial leading most important number one original paramount preeminent premier primary prime primo principal supreme
Antonyms
WEAK
inferior last least lowest secondary unimportant
ADJECTIVE
gifted
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accomplished brilliant capable skilled smart
WEAK
able adroit class act clever expert got it have on the ball have smarts have the goods hot ingenious mad masterly phenomenal shining at
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dull inept stupid unable unintelligent
WEAK
incapable untalented
ADJECTIVE
self-confident
Synonyms
STRONGEST
poised self-assured self-reliant
WEAK
assured fearless hotdog know-it-all sanguine sure of oneself undoubtful
Antonyms
WEAK
humble insecure meek unself-confident unsure
ADJECTIVE
smug
Synonyms
STRONGEST
complacent egotistical pompous self-righteous self-satisfied
WEAK
conceited egoistic holier-than-thou priggish puffed-up self-contented snobbish stuck on oneself stuck-up stuffy superior vainglorious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
humble
WEAK
modest unhappy unself-confident unsure
NOUN
aviator
Synonyms
STRONGEST
flier navigator pilot
STRONG
ace aeronaut barnstormer eagle jockey
WEAK
airperson bird legs
NOUN
big deal
Synonyms
WEAK
VIP big cheese big enchilada big fish big gun big shot big wheel biggie bigwig boss boss man head honcho important person top dog tycoon very important person
NOUN
braggart
Synonyms
STRONG
blatherskite blowhard blusterer boaster brag braggadocio bragger egotist exhibitionist gasbag grandstander know-it-all peacock ranter raver show off swaggerer swashbuckler trumpeter windbag
WEAK
bag of wind big talker big-timer bigmouth gascon strutter swelled head
NOUN
celebrity
Synonyms
STRONGEST
figure hero luminary personage personality someone star superstar
STRONG
VIP ace bigwig cynosure heavyweight immortal lion magnate mahatma name notable somebody worthy
WEAK
big cheese big deal big gun big name big shot big stuff celeb famous person major leaguer the cheese
Antonyms
STRONGEST
commoner
STRONG
nobody nonentity unknown
WEAK
obscurity
NOUN
ham
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hot dog
STRONG
exhibitionist grandstander
WEAK
show-off
NOUN
hot dog
Synonyms
WEAK
boaster braggart crowd-pleaser flaunter grandstander show-off showboat
NOUN
professional
Synonyms
STRONGEST
artist expert pro specialist
STRONG
adept artiste authority brain egghead powerhouse pundit shark star superstar virtuoso whiz wizard
WEAK
old hand old pro old war-horse phenom proficient whiz kid
Antonyms
STRONG
amateur rookie
WEAK
apprentice greenhorn
NOUN
vaunter
Synonyms
STRONG
blowhard blusterer boaster brag braggadocio bragger egotist exhibitionist gasbag grandstander know-it-all peacock ranter raver show-off swaggerer swashbuckler trumpeter windbag
WEAK
bag of wind big talker big-timer bigmouth gascon strutter swelled head
NOUN
virtuoso
Synonyms
STRONGEST
magician musician prodigy
STRONG
ace adept artist artiste authority brain celebrity champ champion crackerjack egghead genius natural performer pro professional pundit sharp star superstar whiz wizard
WEAK
big deal dillettante hot stuff intelligent no slouch old hand old pro
Antonyms
STRONG
amateur ignoramus imbecile rookie
WEAK
greenhorn

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Those institutions were willing to lock up their dollars with hotshot managers for years, giving them authority on how to invest them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

People start claiming your hotshot 27-year-old offensive coordinator is the reason for your success.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

Minka Kelly plays a hotshot executive — shorthand for misguided, unfulfilled — out to acquire a French Champagne vineyard.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2025

Top Gun was a breakthrough for Kilmer, who played Iceman, the rival to Cruise's hotshot Maverick at the US Navy's academy for elite fighter pilots.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2025

The teacher was unpredictable and yet predictable at the same time, which reasoning confused Brian because he wasn’t exactly a hotshot in the psychology department.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.