A hot one makes you cry (3)
I believe the answer is:
aha
'cry' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Cry of triumph ' mean 'aha' so perhaps 'cry' could also mean 'aha')
'a hot one' is the wordplay.
'hot' becomes 'h' (common abbreviation eg on taps).
'one' becomes 'a' (a thing is one thing).
'a'+'h'+'a'='AHA'
'makes you' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for aha that I've seen before include "Palindromic exclamation of triumph or surprise" , "Surprised expression" , "Exclamation of triumph or mockery, a palindrome" , "Expression of surprise, satisfaction or triumph" , "Triumphant cry" .)