Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Having or giving out a moderate degree of heat: Describing something that is pleasantly hot, not cold or very hot.
   • Showing enthusiasm, affection, or kindness: Characterized by a friendly, loving, or enthusiastic quality.
   • Making someone feel pleased or happy: Having a comforting or heartening effect.
   • (Of a color) Suggesting warmth: Colors like red, orange, or yellow that create a feeling of warmth.
   • (Of a scent or trail in hunting) Fresh; recent: Still detectable or strong.
   • (Informal) Close to discovering something: Near to finding a hidden object or the correct answer.

2. Verb:

   • To make or become warm: To increase in temperature or to cause something to increase in temperature.
   • To make more lively or enthusiastic: To stimulate interest or excitement.

3. Adverb:

   • In a warm manner: Dressed warmly or acting in a friendly, affectionate way.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • She drank a cup of warm tea. (The tea had a pleasant, moderate heat.)
  • They received a warm welcome from their hosts. (The welcome was friendly and kind.)
  • The room was painted in warm colors. (The colors were reds and yellows.)
  • The dogs are on a warm trail. (The scent of the animal is fresh and strong.)

• Verb:

  • Please warm the soup before serving. (Make the soup hotter.)
  • His kindness warmed my heart. (His kindness made me feel happy and comforted.)
  • The engine needs a minute to warm up. (The engine needs to become operational temperature.)

• Adverb:

  • The skiers were warmly clad. (The skiers were dressed in warm clothing.)

Advanced Usage

• "to warm to someone/something": To begin to like someone or become more interested in something.
  • I didn't like the idea at first, but I'm starting to warm to it.
• "to warm the cockles of one's heart": To give someone a feeling of contentment or pleasure. (Idiomatic)
  • Seeing the family reunited warmed the cockles of my heart.

Variants and Related Words

• Warmly (adverb): In a warm manner.
  • She smiled warmly.
• Warmth (noun): The quality, state, or sensation of being warm.
  • the warmth of the sun; She spoke with great warmth.
• Warmer (noun): A device for warming something.
  • a plate warmer
• Warming (adjective/noun): Making or becoming warmer.
  • a warming trend in the weather; global warming

Synonyms

• Adjective (temperature): heated, tepid, lukewarm, cozy.
• Adjective (friendly): affectionate, cordial, hearty, enthusiastic.
• Verb: heat (up), reheat, thaw.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Warm up:
  • To become warmer or make something warmer. Let's warm up by the fire.
  • To prepare for physical exercise by doing gentle stretches. The team warmed up before the match.
  • To become more friendly or lively. The audience warmed up after his first joke.
• Warm over:
  • To reheat previously cooked food. I'll warm over the leftovers for dinner.
  • (Figuratively, usually as "warmed-over") To present an old idea as if it were new. His speech was just a warmed-over version of last year's talk.

Related Idioms

• Make it/things warm for someone: To create trouble or difficulties for someone.
  • The new manager is making things warm for the lazy employees.
• A warm place: A comfortable or secure position (often used in the negative).
  • He won't have a warm place here if he keeps making mistakes.
• Warm work: Strenuous or dangerous activity.
  • Clearing the battlefield was warm work.

Adjective

1. of a seeker; near to the object sought
   • you're getting warm
   • hot on the trail
2. uncomfortable because of possible danger or trouble
   • made things warm for the bookies
3. characterized by liveliness or excitement or disagreement
   • a warm debate
4. characterized by strong enthusiasm
   • ardent revolutionaries
   • warm support
5. easily aroused or excited
   • a quick temper
   • a warm temper
6. freshly made or left
   • a warm trail
   • the scent is warm
7. having or displaying warmth or affection
   • affectionate children
   • a fond embrace
   • fond of his nephew
   • a tender glance
   • a warm embrace
8. (color) inducing the impression of warmth; used especially of reds and oranges and yellows
   • warm reds and yellows and orange
9. psychologically warm; friendly and responsive
   • a warm greeting
   • a warm personality
   • warm support
10. having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
    • a warm body
    • a warm room
    • a warm climate
    • a warm coat

Adverb

1. in a warm manner
   • warmly dressed
   • warm-clad skiers

Verb

1. make warm or warmer
   • The blanket will warm you
2. get warm or warmer
   • The soup warmed slowly on the stove