치열해요 · 치열했어요 · 치열한 (+noun)
fierce, intense, cutthroat
Example
요즘 취업 경쟁이 아주 치열해요.
Competition for jobs is very fierce these days.
Word parts
치 blazing+열 fierce
Literally 'blazing and fierce', like a raging fire.
Good to know
Classic collocation: 경쟁이 치열하다 'competition is fierce'; also 치열한 전투 'fierce battle'.
Related words