body heat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to slightly formal/technical in its core meaning; metaphorical usage can be informal/literary.
Quick answer
What does “body heat” mean?
The natural heat produced by the body of a living animal or human, primarily as a byproduct of metabolism.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The natural heat produced by the body of a living animal or human, primarily as a byproduct of metabolism.
Can refer to the warmth felt from a nearby person or animal; also used metaphorically to imply a form of intimate or physical closeness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Minor potential differences in technical/medical registers but 'body heat' is standard in both.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties. The literal meaning is neutral; metaphorical use for intimacy is equally possible.
Frequency
Similar frequency. Slight edge to American English in popular science/self-help contexts (e.g., 'conserving body heat').
Grammar
How to Use “body heat” in a Sentence
[Subject] generates/radiates body heat.[Subject] loses/conserves body heat.[Subject] uses [object] body heat to [verb].The [noun] is warmed by body heat.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body heat” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The huddled penguins body-heat each other through the Antarctic winter. (rare, non-standard verbalisation)
- The system is designed to body-heat the surrounding air. (highly technical/inventive)
American English
- New materials can help body-heat a small space. (inventive/technical)
- They body-heated the shelter just by being inside. (rare, descriptive)
adjective
British English
- The body-heat loss was significant in the cold water. (compound modifier)
- They studied body-heat regulation in mammals. (compound modifier)
American English
- The body-heat signature was detected by the thermal camera. (compound modifier)
- Body-heat conservation is key to survival. (compound modifier)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in marketing for clothing, bedding, or heating technology (e.g., 'fabrics that retain body heat').
Academic
Common in biology, physiology, medicine, and environmental studies papers discussing thermoregulation.
Everyday
Common in discussions about weather, feeling cold, illness, or casual references to warmth from others/pets.
Technical
Standard term in medical, physiological, survival, and materials science (e.g., body heat-powered devices).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “body heat”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “body heat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body heat”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a body heat' is incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'fever' (which is elevated body *temperature* due to illness).
- Misspelling as a single word ('bodyheat').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Body temperature' is a measurement (e.g., 37°C). 'Body heat' is the physical warmth produced, the energy itself.
Only metaphorically or in technical contexts (e.g., 'The engine radiated a body heat-like warmth'). Literally, it applies to living organisms.
No. It is a non-count (mass) noun. You cannot have 'a body heat', but you can have 'a lot of body heat' or 'some body heat'.
Confusing it with 'fever'. Saying 'I have body heat' to mean 'I have a fever' is incorrect. You'd say 'I have a temperature' or 'I'm running a fever'.
The natural heat produced by the body of a living animal or human, primarily as a byproduct of metabolism.
Body heat is usually neutral to slightly formal/technical in its core meaning; metaphorical usage can be informal/literary. in register.
Body heat: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdi hiːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdi hiːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Share body heat (for warmth in survival situations).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'body' + 'heat' = the heat your BODY creates to keep you from turning into a cold HEAT-less statue.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEAT IS LIFE / ENERGY; INTIMACY IS WARMTH (e.g., 'Their relationship had lost its body heat.')
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'body heat' used metaphorically?