/ wɔːm; NAmE wɔːrm/ adjective , verb , noun , adverb
■ adjective
( warm·er , warm·est )
AT PLEASANT TEMPERATURE
1.
at a fairly high temperature in a way that is pleasant, rather than being hot or cold :
a warm breeze
Wash the blouse in warm soapy water.
It's nice and warm in here.
Are you warm enough?
The children jumped up and down to keep warm .
You'll be as warm as toast in here.
CLOTHES / BUILDINGS
2.
keeping you warm or staying warm in cold weather :
a warm pair of socks
This sleeping bag is very warm.
a warm house
FRIENDLY
3.
showing enthusiasm and/or affection; friendly :
His smile was warm and friendly.
The speaker was given a warm welcome / reception .
Please send her my warmest congratulations.
COLOURS
4.
( of colours ) containing red, orange or yellow, which creates a pleasant, comfortable and relaxed feeling or atmosphere :
The room was decorated in warm shades of red and orange.
IN GAME
5.
[ not before noun ] used to say that sb has almost guessed the answer to sth or that they have almost found sb/sth that has been hidden :
Keep guessing—you're getting warmer.
► warm·ly adverb :
They were warmly dressed in coats and scarves.
The play was warmly received by the critics.
—see also warmth
■ verb
MAKE / BECOME WARM
1.
~ (sth/sb) (up) to make sth/sb warm or warmer; to become warm or warmer :
[ vn ]
I'll warm up some milk.
Come in and warm yourself by the fire.
The alcohol warmed and relaxed him.
[ v ]
As the climate warms (up) the ice caps will melt.
BECOME FRIENDLY
2.
[ v , vn ] to become more friendly, loving, etc.; to make sb feel or become more friendly, loving, etc.
—see also global warming , house-warming
•
IDIOMS
- warm the cockles (of sb's heart)
—more at death
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- warm down
- warm to / towards sb
- warm to / towards sth
- warm up
- warm up | warm sb/sth up
- warm sth up
■ noun
PLACE
the warm [ sing. ] a place where the temperature is warm :
Come inside into the warm.
■ adverb
( warm·er , warm·est ) ( informal ) in a way that makes you feel warm
SYN warmly :
Wrap up warm before you go outside!
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English wearm (adjective), werman , wearmian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German warm , from an Indo-European root shared by Latin formus warm and Greek thermos hot.