warm

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   At a pleasantly high temperature, hotter than cool but not hot.

   Grammar: Goes before a noun (a warm day) or after be or feel: the soup is warm.

   Patterns

   • warm enough
   • warm to the touch

   It was a warm evening, so we ate outside.

   The water was warm enough for a swim.

   She wrapped her hands around a warm mug.

2. 2adjectivecomparableapprovingfigurative

   Friendly, kind and showing real affection toward other people.

   Grammar: Describes a person or a feeling: a warm welcome, a warm smile.

   Patterns

   • a warm welcome
   • warm toward someone

   The hosts gave us a warm welcome.

   He has a warm, easy laugh.

   She was warm and generous with everyone.

3. 3adjectivecomparable

   Giving a comfortable feeling of heat, as clothes or blankets that hold in body heat.

   Grammar: Describes items that keep you warm: a warm coat.

   Patterns

   • a warm coat

   Pack a warm jacket for the hike.

   The blanket is thick and warm.

   Wear warm socks in winter.

4. 4adjectivecomparable

   Describing colors such as red, orange and yellow that feel cozy and bright.

   Grammar: Used in design and art, in contrast with cool colors like blue.

   Patterns

   • warm colors
   • a warm tone

   The room is painted in warm yellows.

   Artists often use warm colors for sunsets.

   The lamp gives off a warm glow.

Word forms

Common combinations

warm welcome

They gave the visitors a warm welcome.

warm weather

The warm weather brought crowds to the beach.

warm smile

The nurse greeted him with a warm smile.

warm up

Let the engine warm up first.

warm regards

She signed the email with warm regards.

Synonyms and how they differ

mild

Mild describes gentle weather without extremes, while warm points to a higher, more pleasant heat.

cozy

Cozy suggests comfort and snugness in a place, while warm refers more directly to temperature.

friendly

Friendly describes behavior only, but warm adds a sense of real affection.

lukewarm

Lukewarm means only slightly warm, often unpleasantly so, and can describe weak enthusiasm.

Opposites

Word family

warmth noun

the quality of being warm

warmly adverb

in a friendly or heated way

warm verb

to make or become warm

warmer noun

something that heats, as in a hand warmer

unwarm adjective

rare word for not warm

Commonly confused: warm or worm?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “warm”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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