warm

1 of 3

adjective

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 adjective
warmness 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Aim for a warm shower with warm water to reach a happy medium. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2024 Directed by renowned creative, Child, the space is warm and inviting, scattered with vintage accents and dim lighting that creates an atmosphere of personal reflection, setting the perfect stage for a song rooted in raw emotion. Quincy Green, Billboard, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
Looking Forward In the face of increasingly frequent and severe weather events, warming oceans, and rising sea levels, researchers are investigating whether Azolla filiculoides could counteract escalating greenhouse gas emissions and global temperatures. Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024 This warming trend has created an environment conducive to stronger storms. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 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 See all Example Sentences for warm 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of warm was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near warm

Cite this Entry

“Warm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warm. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

warm

1 of 2 adjective
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

More from Merriam-Webster on warm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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