warm
B1Neutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
having or giving out a moderate degree of heat; at a comfortably high temperature.
Friendly, kind, or affectionate in manner; protective; enthusiastic; (of a colour) containing red, yellow, or orange tones; (of a scent or trail) fresh and strong; (in children's games) close to finding something or guessing correctly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Denotes a comfortable, pleasant degree of heat, distinct from hot (which implies discomfort). Its emotional sense derives from the physical sensation of warmth being comforting. Can describe colours, sounds, and personalities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic differences. Minor spelling in compounds (e.g., 'warm-up' is consistent). Slight preference in the UK for 'warm' as a verb in contexts like 'warming to an idea'.
Connotations
Consistent across dialects.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties. Slightly more common in US English in weather-related contexts (e.g., 'warm front').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
warm (sth) upwarm to sb/sthwarm sb/sth (with sth)keep sth warmVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “warm the cockles of someone's heart”
- “as warm as toast”
- “a warm reception”
- “in the warm”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Describes positive client relationships ('a warm lead'), market conditions, or welcome reception to an idea.
Academic
Used in geography (warm climate), psychology (warm personality traits), or physics (heat transfer).
Everyday
Primarily used for weather, temperature, food/drink, and interpersonal feelings.
Technical
In electronics ('warm boot'), colour theory ('warm colours'), or meteorology ('warm front').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you warm the soup whilst I set the table?
- She began to warm to her new colleagues after a few weeks.
American English
- I'll warm up the car before we leave.
- He warmed to the idea after hearing the benefits.
adverb
British English
- Wrap up warm before you go out.
American English
- Dress warm if you're heading to the game tonight.
adjective
British English
- It's quite warm for October.
- They received a warm welcome at the village hall.
American English
- Bring a warm jacket for the evening.
- The paint gives the room a warm, inviting feel.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The weather is warm today.
- I like warm milk before bed.
- She has a warm smile.
- Please warm up the leftovers for dinner.
- The room was painted a warm yellow.
- He's a very warm and friendly person.
- After a hesitant start, she warmed to the topic and spoke passionately.
- Investors gave a warm reception to the company's new strategy.
- The trail was still warm, so we knew the animal was nearby.
- The critic's review was damning, but the public's response was notably warmer.
- His rhetoric served to warm up the crowd before the main speaker.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
WARM: When A Rug's Missing, you feel the need for warmth.
Conceptual Metaphor
AFFECTION IS WARMTH ('a warm smile', 'cold shoulder'); ENTHUSIASM IS HEAT ('warm up to an idea').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'warm clothes' as 'тёплая одежда' in the sense of 'insulated clothing' – use 'зимняя одежда' or 'утеплённая одежда'. 'Warm' for personality is 'тёплый', but can be overly literal.
- Confusion with 'hot' (горячий) which is more intense; 'warm' is comfortably hot.
- The verb 'to warm up' (разогреваться) is used for both engines and people before exercise.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hot' instead of 'warm' for pleasant temperature ('The tea is warm, not hot').
- Overusing 'warm' for colours; specify 'reddish' or 'yellowish' if needed.
- Incorrect preposition: 'warm to an idea', not 'warm for an idea'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses of 'warm' is metaphorical?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Warm' implies a pleasant, comfortable, moderate heat. 'Hot' implies a higher, often intense or uncomfortable temperature.
Yes, it means to make or become warmer (e.g., 'warm your hands'), or to become more enthusiastic (e.g., 'warm to an idea').
No. 'Warmly' is standard (e.g., 'thank you warmly'). However, informally, especially in AmE, 'warm' can be an adverb (e.g., 'dress warm').
It has several meanings: 1) To prepare physically for exercise, 2) To make something hotter, 3) To become more lively or enthusiastic.
Collections
Part of a collection
Body and Health
A1 · 49 words · Parts of the body and basic health vocabulary.
Weather
A2 · 45 words · Describing the weather, climate and seasons.