warm

[ wawrm ]

/ wɔrm /

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See synonyms for: warm / warmer / warmest / warming on Thesaurus.com

adjective, warm·er, warm·est.

having or giving out a moderate degree of heat, as perceived by the senses: a warm bath.

of or at a moderately high temperature; characterized by comparatively high temperature: a warm oven; a warm climate; a warm summer.

having a sensation of bodily heat: to be warm from fast walking.

conserving or maintaining warmth or heat: warm clothes.

(of colors) suggestive of warmth; inclining toward red or orange rather than toward green or blue.

characterized by or showing lively feelings, passions, emotions, sympathies, etc.: a warm heart; warm interest.

strongly attached; intimate: warm friends.

cordial or hearty: a warm welcome.

heated, irritated, or angry: to become warm when contradicted.

animated, lively, brisk, or vigorous: a warm debate.

strong or fresh: a warm scent.

close to something sought, as in a game.

uncomfortable or unpleasant: His opponents made things so warm that he decided to quit.

British Informal. well off; in easy circumstances.

verb (used with object)

to make warm; heat (often followed by up): to warm one's hands; to warm up a room.

to heat or cook (something) for reuse, as leftovers (usually followed by over or up): to warm up yesterday's stew.

to excite enthusiasm, ardor, cheerfulness, or vitality in (someone): The wine soon warmed the company.

to inspire with kindly feeling; affect with lively pleasure: It warms my soul to hear you say that.

to fill (a person, crowd, etc.) with strong feelings, as hatred, anger, or zeal: Restrictions had warmed the crew to the point of mutiny.

verb (used without object)

to become warm or warmer (often followed by up): The room will warm up when the fire gets going.

to become ardent, enthusiastic, animated, etc. (often followed by up or to): The speaker quickly warmed to her subject.

to grow kindly, friendly, or sympathetically disposed (often followed by to or toward): My heart warms toward him.

noun

Informal. a warming: Sit by the fire and have a nice warm.

Verb Phrases

warm down. See entry at warm-down.

warm up. See entry at warmup.

OTHER WORDS FOR warm

1 lukewarm, tepid, heated.

6 hearty, enthusiastic, fervent, fervid, emotional, ardent.

7 friendly, close.

8 fervent.

9 annoyed, vexed, irate, furious.

10 vehement.

17 animate, excite, waken, stir, rouse, arouse.

See synonyms for warm on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR warm

1-3 cool.

8 unfriendly, aloof.

10 lethargic, boring.

See antonyms for warm on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!

Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

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Idioms about warm

warm the bench, Sports. to serve as a substitute who rarely plays in a game: The young outfielder warmed the bench for the Yankees last season.

Origin of warm

First recorded before 900; Middle English adjective werm, warm, wearm(e), Old English wearm; cognate with German warm, Old Norse varmr; akin to Latin formus “warm,” Greek thermós “warm,” Sanskrit gharmá- “heat,” Avestan garəma “hot,” Old Prussian gorme “heat,” Armenian ǰerm “warm”; the verb is akin to the adjective; the noun is derivative of the verb

OTHER WORDS FROM warm

warm·er, nounwarm·ish, adjectivewarm·ly, adverbwarm·ness, noun

o·ver·warmed, adjectivepre·warm, verb (used with object)re·warm, verbun·warmed, adjectiveun·warm·ing, adjectivewell-warmed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use warm in a sentence

This irresistible wool and cashmere combo is as soft as butter melting on a steamy piece of oven-warmed bread.
The hottest gifts to buy for the friend who’s always cold|Sandra Gutierrez G.|November 20, 2020|Popular-Science
About one-fifth of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions come from manufacturing, according to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Trying to shop sustainably? Here’s what you need to consider.|Sarah Kaplan|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Stir to combine, and let the drink warm up for 1 to 2 minutes.
This cocktail can keep you warm around the fire pit — and you can make it there, too|M. Carrie Allan|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
If only the morning was a hair warmer, with a touch less breeze.
D.C.-area forecast: Mainly clear skies plus warmer temperatures today and tomorrow|A. Camden Walker|November 20, 2020|Washington Post

He was seen grimacing while making warm-up throws on the sideline soon after.
Kyler Murray runs out of miracles as Seahawks hang on to take over first place in NFC West|Mark Maske|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
No white African leader has been regarded that warmly for half a century or more.
Democratic Africa Gets Its First White Leader|Nico Hines|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Their speech was met “very warmly, with applause,” according to bishops briefing the press afterwards.
The Vatican's Same-Sex Synod: The Bishops Hear About Reality. Do They Listen?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As we walked through the venue, campaign staffers and facility workers greeted him warmly.
Behind the Scenes With a ‘Site Agent’: The Secret Service’s Hardest Job|Marc Ambinder|October 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was also a sharp shift: fat jokes aside, Christie had always been received warmly on late night.
Chris Christie Tries to Dance His Way Back Into Your Heart|Olivia Nuzzi|June 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She welcomed us warmly, and shared memories of my grandparents and great-grandparents.
Survived Hitler, Returned to Germany|Steve North|May 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was republished at once in America, and was welcomed as warmly on this side of the Atlantic as on the other.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
Though she was warmly wrapped in a soft rug of silvery fur, a chill crept into her heart.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
Orellana was very warmly received by armed swift-footed females, which originated the fanciful name Amazonia.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
He warmly espoused the interests of his country, and many important measures were effected by his eloquence.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
A pretty dispute followed, in which Edna warmly espoused her father's cause and the Doctor remained neutral.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

British Dictionary definitions for warm

warm

/ (wɔːm) /

adjective

characterized by or having a moderate degree of heat; moderately hot

maintaining or imparting heata warm coat

having or showing ready affection, kindliness, etca warm personality

lively, vigorous, or passionatea warm debate

cordial or enthusiastic; ardentwarm support

quickly or easily arouseda warm temper

(of colours) predominantly red or yellow in tone

(of a scent, trail, etc) recently made; strong

near to finding a hidden object or discovering or guessing facts, as in children's games

informal uncomfortable or disagreeable, esp because of the proximity of danger

verb

(sometimes foll by up) to raise or be raised in temperature; make or become warm or warmer

(when intr, often foll by to) to make or become excited, enthusiastic, etc (about)he warmed to the idea of buying a new car

(intr often foll by to) to feel affection, kindness, etc (for someone)I warmed to her mother from the start

(tr) British to give a caning toI'll warm you in a minute

noun

informal a warm place or areacome into the warm

informal the act or an instance of warming or being warmed

Derived forms of warm

warmer, nounwarmish, adjectivewarmly, adverbwarmness, noun

Word Origin for warm

Old English wearm; related to Old Frisian, Old Saxon warm, Old Norse varmr

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with warm

warm

In addition to the idioms beginning with warm

warm as toast
warm heart
warm the bench
warm the cockles of one's heart
warm up
warm welcome

also see:

cold hands, warm heart
look like death (warmed over)

warm

OTHER WORDS FOR warm

OPPOSITES FOR warm

Idioms about warm

Origin of warm

OTHER WORDS FROM warm

Words related to warm

How to use warm in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for warm

Derived forms of warm

Word Origin for warm

Other Idioms and Phrases with warm