Definition

1. Noun:
   • A modified car for increased speed: A "hot-rod" is a car, typically an older model, that has been rebuilt or modified with a more powerful engine and other changes to achieve very high speed and acceleration, often for informal racing or display.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He spent years restoring and modifying a 1932 Ford into a classic hot-rod.
  • The roar of the hot-rod's engine could be heard from blocks away.
  • At the car show, the shiny red hot-rod attracted a large crowd.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) to describe things related to such cars or their culture.
  • They went to a hot-rod show over the weekend.
  • The magazine featured hot-rod customization tips.

Variants and Related Words

• Hot-rodder (noun): A person who drives, builds, or is enthusiastic about hot-rods.
  • The hot-rodder proudly showed off his latest engine upgrade.
• Hot-rodding (noun, gerund): The activity or hobby of building, modifying, or racing hot-rods.
  • Hot-rodding was a popular pastime in the 1950s.

Synonyms

• Souped-up car: (Informal) A car whose engine has been modified for greater power.
• Muscle car: A high-performance American automobile, typically from the 1960s and 1970s; note that while related, "muscle car" usually refers to factory-produced performance models, whereas a "hot-rod" is custom-modified.
• Street rod: A type of hot-rod that is modified for driving on public streets, often with more modern amenities.

Notes on Meaning

• The term is strongly associated with American automotive subculture, particularly from the mid-20th century.
• It specifically implies modification beyond the car's original factory specifications for performance, not just appearance. A standard fast car is not a hot-rod.

Noun

1. a car modified to increase its speed and acceleration