warm

¹warm

adjective \ˈwȯrm\

Definition of WARM

1

a : having or giving out heat to a moderate or adequate degree <warm weather> <a warm fire>

b : serving to maintain or preserve heat especially to a satisfactory degree <a warm sweater>

c : feeling or causing sensations of heat brought about by strenuous exertion

2

: comfortably established : secure

3

a : marked by strong feeling : ardent

b : marked by excitement, disagreement, or anger <the argument grew warm>

4

: marked by or readily showing affection, gratitude, cordiality, or sympathy <a warm welcome> <warm regards>

5

: emphasizing or exploiting sexual imagery or incidents

6

: accompanied or marked by extreme danger or duress

7

: newly made : fresh <a warm scent>

8

: having the color or tone of something that imparts heat; specifically : of a hue in the range yellow through orange to red

9

: near to a goal, object, or solution sought <not there yet but getting warm>

— warm·ish \ˈwȯr-mish\ adjective

— warm·ness \ˈwȯrm-nəs\ noun

Examples of WARM

1. Be sure to keep warm when you go outside.
2. We sat by the fire to stay warm.
3. It's too warm in here. We should open a window.
4. The sunshine was warm on my face.
5. We were met with a warm welcome.
6. She has a warm and friendly nature.
7. The letter was signed, “warmest regards.”
8. She gave us each a long, warm hug.
9. Keep going; you're getting warm.

Origin of WARM

Middle English, from Old English wearm; akin to Old High German warm warm and probably to Lithuanian virti to cook, boil

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WARM

Synonyms

heated, hottish, lukewarm, tepid, toasty, warmed, warmish

Antonyms

chilled, coldish, cool, cooled, coolish, refrigerated, unheated

Related Words

thawed; boiling, broiling, burning, fiery, hot, piping hot, red-hot, roasting, scalding, scorching, searing, steamy, sultry, sweltering, torrid, white-hot; overheated, roasted, superheated, sweltering; blazing, glowing, molten, sizzling; reheated, rewarmed, warmed-over

Near Antonyms

arctic, bitter, bleak, chill, chilly, cold, freezing, frigid, frosty, gelid, glacial, ice-cold, iced, icy, nippy, polar, raw, sharp, snappy, snowy, subfreezing, subzero, ultracold, winterly, wintry (also wintery); frosted; benumbed, nipped, numb

Rhymes with WARM

corm, dorm, form, norm, storm, swarm

²warm

verb

Definition of WARM

transitive verb

1

: to make warm

2

a : to infuse with a feeling of love, friendship, well-being, or pleasure

b : to fill with anger, zeal, or passion

3

: to reheat (cooked food) for eating —often used with over

4

: to make ready for operation or performance by preliminary exercise or operation —often used with up

intransitive verb

1

: to become warm

2

a : to become ardent, interested, or receptive —usually used with to or toward <warmed to the idea>

b : to become filled with affection or love —used with to or toward

3

: to experience feelings of pleasure : bask

4

: to become ready for operation or performance by preliminary activity —often used with up

Examples of WARM

1. He warmed his hands in front of the fire.
2. We warmed ourselves by the fire.
3. Air rises when it warms.

First Known Use of WARM

before 12th century

Related to WARM

Synonyms

heat, hot (up) [chiefly Southern, southern Midland, & British], toast

Antonyms

chill, cool, refrigerate

Related Words

overheat, superheat; reheat, rewarm; thaw; bake, cook, roast; burn, char, fire, parch, scald, scorch, sear

Near Antonyms

freeze, frost, ice, supercool

³warm

adverb

Definition of WARM

: warmly —usually used in combination <warm-clad>

First Known Use of WARM

before 12th century