warm

1 of 3

adjective

ˈwȯrm 

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

warmish

ˈwȯr-mish 

adjective

warmness

ˈwȯrm-nəs 

noun

warm

2 of 3

verb

warmed; warming; warms

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

warm

3 of 3

adverb

: warmly

—usually used in combination

warm-clad

Synonyms

Adjective

• heated
• hottish
• lukewarm
• tepid
• toasty
• warmed
• warmish

Verb

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

Examples of warm in a Sentence

Adjective

Be sure to keep warm when you go outside.

We sat by the fire to stay warm.

It's too warm in here. We should open a window.

The sunshine was warm on my face.

We were met with a warm welcome.

She has a warm and friendly nature.

The letter was signed, “warmest regards.”

She gave us each a long, warm hug.

Keep going; you're getting warm.

Verb

He warmed his hands in front of the fire.

We warmed ourselves by the fire.

Air rises when it warms.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

If you're headed somewhere cold, add a warm baselayer underneath the cardigan to keep things toasty. —Jean Chen Smith, Travel + Leisure, 6 Dec. 2024

The cold-weather accessory instantly elevates outfits while keeping your hands warm and toasty. —Melony Forcier, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Verb

While it’s marketed as a fall scent, this crowd-pleaser will also warm your home’s ambience at the holidays. —Clint Davis, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024

But if global warming gets out of hand, warming four or five degrees Celsius, as many as 30% of species could be at risk. —Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024

Adverb

The primary suite has access to a patio, and the walls in the primary bedroom are brick or have warm-toned wood paneling. —Dallas News, 7 Oct. 2022

The kitchen has warm-toned wood cabinets, an island with storage and countertop space and a stove with a stone surround. —Dallas News, 5 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing warm

• (as) warm as toast
• the warm
• warm-blooded
• warm feeling
• warm front
• warm fuzzies
• warm someone's heart
• warm spot
• warm the cockles of someone's heart
• warm to
• warm up

Kids Definition

warm

1 of 2 adjective

ˈwȯ(ə)rm 

1

a

: having or giving off heat to a moderate or adequate degree

warm food

a warm stove

b

: serving to keep in heat (as of the body)

warm clothes

c

: feeling or causing sensations of heat

warm from exertion

a long warm walk

2

a

: showing or marked by strong feeling : ardent

a warm hug

b

: marked by tense excitement or anger

a warm political campaign

3

: marked by or tending toward injury, distress, or pain

gave the enemy a warm reception

4

a

: newly made : fresh

a warm scent

b

: near to a goal, answer, or object sought

not there yet but getting warm

5

: of a color in the range yellow to orange to red

warmly adverb

warmness noun

warm

2 of 2 verb

1

: to make or become warm

warm yourself in front of the fire

2

a

: to give a feeling of warmth or pleasure to

it warms my heart to see you

b

: to experience feelings of affection or pleasure

warmed to her young guests

3

: to reheat for eating

warm over some potatoes

4

a

: to make or become ready for action or performing by doing special exercises or actions beforehand

swimmers warm up before a race

b

: to become increasingly interested or enthusiastic

a speaker warming to his topic