hottest-selling
UK[ˈhɒtɪst ˈselɪŋ]US[ˈhɑːtɪst ˈselɪŋ]
adj
(of a product, book, etc.) being sold in the largest quantities at a particular time
Etymology
the word is a modern english compound, combining 'hottest', the superlative form of the old english adjective 'hāt' (meaning "having a high temperature, fervent"), with 'selling', the present participle of the old english verb 'sellan' (meaning "to give, furnish, supply, deliver"). the metaphorical use of 'hot' to mean "very popular or exciting" emerged in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. the compound 'hottest-selling' thus logically fuses the idea of peak popularity ('hottest') with the commercial activity of exchange ('selling'), creating a concise descriptor for a top-selling item in the marketplace.
Analysis
this is a compound adjective formed from the superlative adjective 'hottest' and the present participle 'selling'. it functions as a single lexical unit.
Examples
the hottest-selling smartphone this quarter features an advanced camera system.
her debut novel quickly became the hottest-selling book on the non-fiction list.
despite the economic downturn, this model remains the hottest-selling car in its class.