Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
📶 Internet access point 🎉 A popular place ⚠️ A danger area 🌋 A hot area
hotspot

hotspot

9 3.4
A public place or device that gives wireless internet access
  • noun
  • /ˈhɑtˌspɑt/
  • Texting
translation icon : punto de acceso Wi‑Fi
  • Only public Wi-Fi hotspots or does that include private?
  • Wi-Fi hotspot
  • WiFi hotspot
  • mobile hotspot

But I've been mostly able to just do whatever I need to do with mobile hotspot.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Sprint allows you to toggle the personal hotspot from quick settings; AT&T does not.

    Blog text (14)

  • Why did I make this church a Wi-Fi hotspot?

    Cry Wolf (1947)

  • From there, you just launch the app, click the Wi-Fi symbol, and turn your hotspot on.

    Blog text (1)

  • I switch and pay the extra $5 for 5GB and free hotspot instead of unlimited data.

    Blog text (19)

  • Find a Wi-Fi hotspot or pay for Wi-Fi in your hotel!

    Blog text (23)

  • You can also get free Wi-Fi from AT&T hotspots, nationwide.

    Blog text (8)

  • The closest hotspot is at a coffee shop a block away, where you can enjoy your drink while connecting to the internet.

  • Many travelers search for a hotspot to access Wi-Fi when they are away from home.

  • The library has recently upgraded its Wi-Fi services, providing a public hotspot for all visitors.

Synonyms

hot spot
vshotspot
  • Texting
1 3.2

A place or device that gives wireless internet to nearby devices

is for public or customer access rather than private use

Antonyms

off-line
  • Specialized
2 3.1

Not connected to the internet or a computer

How Accessible

hotspot
  • Texting
9 3.4
netless
  • Texting
4.3

Surface Forms

hotspot singular
hotspots plural

Morphology

hotspot = hot + spot (semi-transparent) = hot + spot

The Wi‑Fi sense is a technicalized metaphor: a 'spot' that is 'hot' with connectivity; learners need to know this extended, technical usage.

Etymology

Hotspot pairs hot ('active' or 'ready') with spot ('place'), so it suggests a place where something is available right now. That's why a public hotspot means a place where you can connect your device to Wi‑Fi.