warm
/wɔːm/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Having a fairly high temperature, but not hot or cold. It also describes a place, object, or person that feels pleasant and comfortable.
- The soup is still warm.
- Keep the room warm at night.
verb
To make something warmer, or to become warmer.
- Warm the milk before bedtime.
- Her hands warmed quickly by the fire.
noun
The warm weather or the warm part of the year. This use is less common in everyday English.
- We are waiting for the warm of spring.
- The warm was welcome after the rain.
Adinary Nuance
Warm is more neutral and physical than words like hot, which means a much higher temperature. It is often softer than hot and more pleasant than cool when you describe weather, food, or feelings. In conversation, warm can also describe friendly behaviour, while hot usually does not.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ấm
- Spanish
- cálido
- Chinese
- 温暖
- Japanese
- 暖かい
- Korean
- 따뜻한
Etymology
Warm comes from Old English wearm, from the Germanic language family. It has been in English since before the 12th century.
Common phrases
warm weatherwarm clothesa warm welcomewarm up
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is warm positive or negative?
- Usually positive. It often suggests comfort, kindness, or pleasant temperature.
- What is the difference between warm and hot?
- Warm is lower in temperature and feels comfortable. Hot is much higher and can feel uncomfortable.
- Can I say a warm person?
- Yes. It means friendly, kind, and easy to talk to.
- Is warm common in business English?
- Yes, especially in phrases like warm regards and warm welcome.