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Definition of hotwire

hotwire

/ˈhɑːtˌwaɪ.ɚ/
hot · wire
Past Simple:hotwired
•
Past Participle:hotwired
•
Present Participle:hotwiring
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hotwire Lexical Profile

hotwire Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To start the engine of a motor vehicle without a key by bypassing the ignition switch and directly connecting the wires that complete the electrical circuit.

Example

"In older movies, the protagonist could easily hotwire a parked car using only a pair of pliers."

2

To bypass normal procedures, safeguards, or controls in order to activate, accelerate, or manipulate a system or process.

Example

"Researchers discovered how the virus manages to hotwire the host cell's genetic machinery to replicate itself rapidly."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for hotwire

• Nearby Words

hottentot fig
hottie
hottish
hotwire
houbara
hound
houndfish

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hotwire. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hotwire
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