George A. Parks
Did you know?
Aromatic ointments and fragrances are the bomb. They are also, literally, balms: healing substances and soothing scents with the power to ease both mind and body. The original balm, what Latin-speakers referred to as balsamum, was the oleoresin of a species of balsam tree. In Anglo-French, balsamum became basme and baume, spellings which entered Middle English and later became balm. Balm eventually begat the adjective balmy, used to describe things with a balm’s comforting, calming qualities, as when Shakespeare’s Othello speaks of “balmy slumbers.” Today balmy is typically used to describe the weather—balmy breezes, balmy temperatures, balmy spring afternoons, et al—conditions that are neither too hot nor too cold, but just right—Goldilocks conditions, even.
Examples of balmy in a Sentence
Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
If the balmy temperature inside the park isn't warm enough for you, soothe your muscles in one of the hot tubs.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 18 Feb. 2026
The National Weather Service in Boise said a cold front moving into Idaho from the Pacific Coast and into Washington and Oregon would bring an end to our balmy days of late — and perhaps to the rain that was forecast in the Boise area for Monday night.
—David Staats, Idaho Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
Even with a few balmy rainy days (honestly, very New York spring of her), Miami delivered enough sunshine to remind me why these styles earn a spot in my suitcase year after year.
—Natalie Cantell, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for balmy
Cite this Entry
“Balmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balmy. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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