exothermic

This term describes a specific thermodynamic process where a system sheds energy to its surroundings. It is most frequently encountered in chemistry and physics to describe reactions that feel hot to the touch, as the energy released increases the temperature of the immediate environment.

In a technical context, it is the direct opposite of endothermic. While endothermic processes absorb heat and often feel cold, exothermic processes are characterized by a negative change in enthalpy, signifying that the products have less energy than the reactants.