having or giving out a moderate degree of heat, as perceived by the senses: a warm bath.
of or at a moderately high temperature; characterized by comparatively high temperature: a warm oven; a warm climate; a warm summer.
having a sensation of bodily heat: to be warm from fast walking.
conserving or maintaining warmth or heat: warm clothes.
(of colors) suggestive of warmth; inclining toward red or orange rather than toward green or blue.
characterized by or showing lively feelings, passions, emotions, sympathies, etc.: a warm heart; warm interest.
strongly attached; intimate: warm friends.
cordial or hearty: a warm welcome.
heated, irritated, or angry: to become warm when contradicted.
animated, lively, brisk, or vigorous: a warm debate.
strong or fresh: a warm scent.
close to something sought, as in a game.
uncomfortable or unpleasant: His opponents made things so warm that he decided to quit.
BritishInformal. well off; in easy circumstances.
verb (used with object)
to make warm; heat (often followed by up): to warm one's hands; to warm up a room.
to heat or cook (something) for reuse, as leftovers (usually followed by over or up): to warm up yesterday's stew.
to excite enthusiasm, ardor, cheerfulness, or vitality in (someone): The wine soon warmed the company.
to inspire with kindly feeling; affect with lively pleasure: It warms my soul to hear you say that.
to fill (a person, crowd, etc.) with strong feelings, as hatred, anger, or zeal: Restrictions had warmed the crew to the point of mutiny.
verb (used without object)
to become warm or warmer (often followed by up): The room will warm up when the fire gets going.
to become ardent, enthusiastic, animated, etc. (often followed by up or to): The speaker quickly warmed to her subject.
to grow kindly, friendly, or sympathetically disposed (often followed by to or toward): My heart warms toward him.
noun
Informal. a warming: Sit by the fire and have a nice warm.
Verb Phrases
warm down,to conclude or follow a period of strenuous physical exercise by walking or gentle stretching.
warm up,
to prepare for a game, sports contest, dance, etc., by moderate exercise or practice beforehand.
to increase in excitement, intensity, violence, etc.: The racial situation was warming up.
to become friendlier or more receptive: No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't warm up to that proposal.
Radioand Television.to entertain (an audience) prior to a broadcast to increase receptiveness.
Idioms for warm
warm the bench, Sports. to serve as a substitute who rarely plays in a game: The young outfielder warmed the bench for the Yankees last season.
Origin of warm
before 900; (adj.) Middle English werm, warm,Old English wearm; cognate with German warm,Old Norse varmr; (v.) Middle English warmen, wermen,Old English werman, wirman (transitive), wearmian (intransitive), both akin to the adj.; (noun) derivative of the v.