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warm

Pronunciation: /wɔːm/

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Definition of warm

adjective

  • 1of or at a fairly or comfortably high temperature:a warm September evening [as complement]:I walked quickly to keep warm
  • (of clothes or coverings) made of a material that helps the body to retain heat:a warm winter coat
  • (of a soil) quick to absorb heat or retaining heat.
  • 2having or showing enthusiasm, affection, or kindness:they exchanged warm, friendly smiles a warm welcome
  • archaic characterized by lively or heated disagreement:a warm debate arose
  • archaic sexually explicit or titillating: if there is anything a little too warm in the play, it can easily be left out
  • 3(of a colour) containing red, yellow, or orange tones:her fair colouring suited soft, warm shades
  • 4(of a scent or trail) fresh; strong.
  • [predic.] informal (especially in children’s games) close to discovering something or guessing the correct answer:we’re getting warmer, sir

verb

  • make or become warm: [with object]:I stamped my feet to warm them up figurativethe film warmed our hearts [no object]:it’s a bit chilly in here, but it’ll soon warm up
  • [with object] informal spank (someone’s buttocks): I’ll warm your bum if you don’t come here this instant

noun

  • 1 (the warm) a warm place or area:stay in the warm, I’ve made up the fire for you
  • [in singular] an act of warming something or oneself:he had a cup of tea and a warm by the kitchen range

Phrases

warm fuzzy (or warm and fuzzy)

informal, chiefly US used to refer to a sentimentally emotional response or something designed to evoke such a response:babies require a lot of attention, not just momentary warm fuzzies

(as) warm as toast

pleasantly warm.

Phrasal Verbs

warm down

recover from strenuous physical exertion by doing gentle stretches and exercises: warm down for twenty to twenty-five minutes

warm to/towards (or North American warm up to/towards)

begin to like (someone): Ali immediately warmed to him
become more interested in or enthusiastic about (something):she was warming to her theme

warm up

prepare for physical exertion or a performance by exercising or practising gently beforehand:the band were warming up
(of an engine or electrical appliance) reach a temperature high enough to allow it to operate efficiently: the television takes a while to warm up
become livelier or more animated:after several more rounds, things began to warm up in the bar

warm something up (or US over)

  • 1reheat previously cooked food: can you warm the soup up for me? (as adjective warmed-up)a warmed-up airline meal
  • 2entertain an audience so as to make them more receptive to the main act: on stage, Miles was warming up the crowd
  • 3 (as adjective warmed-up) (of an idea or product) not new or original: the memorandum is a mishmash of outmoded economic ideas and warmed-up ideals from before the war

Derivatives

warmer

noun
[usually in combination]:a towel-warmer

warmish

adjective

warmly

adverb

warmness

noun

Origin:

Old English wearm (adjective), werman, wearmian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German warm, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin formus 'warm' and Greek thermos 'hot'

warm in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of warm in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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