warm
/wɔːm/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɔrm] /wɔːrm/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈɔrm] /ˈwȯrm/ (ame, mw)
warm — adjective
- warmpositive
- warmercomparative
- warmestsuperlative
1. at a temperature that feels pleasant and comfortable, between cool and hot — lik
at a temperature that feels pleasant and comfortable, between cool and hot — like the air in a heated room or water you would bathe in
The soup was still warm when Diya sat down to eat.
predicative use: [noun] + be + warm
Ayesha wrapped her fingers around the warm cup of tea.
attributive use: warm + [noun] (object with heat)
The kitten found a warm spot near the kitchen radiator.
Femi checked the bath water to see if it was warm enough.
Warm air from the heater filled the bedroom quickly.
用法筆記
Frequently used with nouns referring to food, drink, water, air, and weather. Unlike 'hot,' 'warm' never implies an uncomfortable or burning temperature.
常見錯誤
2. made of material that keeps body heat close to you, so you do not feel cold when
made of material that keeps body heat close to you, so you do not feel cold when the weather is cold
Liang put on a warm wool sweater before going outside.
warm + [clothing item]
The baby slept peacefully under a thick warm blanket.
Jenna packed warm gloves and a scarf for the mountain trip.
These boots are not warm enough for walking in deep snow.
Yael bought a warm winter coat at the market last week.
- thermal
specially designed to retain body heat, more technical
- insulating
keeps heat from escaping, used for materials and fabrics
- thin
made of light material that does not keep body heat in
- lightweight
not heavy enough to provide warmth in cold weather
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used before a noun (attributive). It describes the function of the item, not the temperature of the item itself.
常見錯誤
3. belonging to a group of colours — reddish, yellowish, and the shades between the
belonging to a group of colours — reddish, yellowish, and the shades between them — that give people a feeling of heat, comfort, and cosiness
The living room walls were painted in warm shades of orange and gold.
warm + [colour noun]: shades/tones/colours
Élise chose warm colours like terracotta for the bedroom.
Warm lighting made the small restaurant feel soft and inviting.
The artist used mostly warm tones in her landscape painting.
A warm red rug can make a dark room look much cosier.
- hot
used for more intense warm colours, not typical in design contexts
- cool
describing colours in the blue, green, or purple range
用法筆記
Use to describe colours, lighting, or décor. The opposite is 'cool' (blues, greens, purples). Commonly used in interior design, fashion, and art contexts.
4. having a comfortably high temperature when describing a room, building, or outdo
having a comfortably high temperature when describing a room, building, or outdoor area, so that you feel cosy there
The kitchen was the warmest room in the old farmhouse.
superlative: warmest + [place noun]
Hamza found a warm spot by the library fireplace.
The greenhouse stays warm even in the middle of winter.
Lien stepped into the warm café to escape the cold wind.
Is there a warm corner where we can sit and talk quietly?
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense specifically describes an indoor or sheltered location where the air temperature feels comfortable. Sense 1 can describe any object (food, water, air) regardless of location.
5. showing kindness, affection, and a welcoming attitude towards other people throu
showing kindness, affection, and a welcoming attitude towards other people through your words, actions, or behaviour
The host family gave us a warm welcome when we arrived.
collocation: warm welcome
Diego received warm applause from the audience after his speech.
collocation: warm applause
Ayesha has a warm smile that puts everyone at ease.
The letter ended with warm regards from the whole team.
Femi's warm personality made him popular with classmates.
- affectionate
showing love through touch or words, more personal and intimate than warm
- cordial
polite and friendly in a formal way
- welcoming
making someone feel accepted and at home
- hearty
warm and enthusiastic, especially in welcoming or laughing
用法筆記
Common in fixed expressions such as 'warm welcome,' 'warm regards,' and 'warm applause.' As a personality description, it emphasises genuine kindness rather than mere politeness.
常見錯誤
6. nearly correct when trying to find something hidden or guess an answer, used esp
nearly correct when trying to find something hidden or guess an answer, used especially in children's guessing games where players say 'you're warm' or 'getting warm'
You're getting warm — the hidden gift is behind the sofa!
phrase: you're getting warm (in a guessing game)
When Diya guessed Osaka, Yael said she was warm.
The children shouted warm as Iris moved closer to the treasure.
Jenna was warm but still needed to find the right number.
- cold
far from the correct answer or hidden object in a guessing game
用法筆記
Almost always used in the phrase 'getting warm' or 'warm' as an exclamation. The opposite in the same game system is 'cold' (far from the target). Rarely used outside of guessing-game contexts.
常見錯誤
warm — verb
- warmpresent simple I / you / we / they
- warms3rd person singular
- warming-ing form
- warmedpast simple
1. to raise the temperature of something so it becomes less cold, or to become less
to raise the temperature of something so it becomes less cold, or to become less cold itself — for example, warming your hands by a fire, or the weather warming in spring
Diego warmed his hands by the fire after coming inside.
transitive: warm + body part
The soup is warming on the stove while we set the table.
intransitive: [thing] + is warming
Ayesha warmed the milk for the baby before feeding time.
The room slowly warmed as the heater began to work.
Camila warmed her feet by the radiator after walking home in the rain.
文法句型
warm + [object]
[subject] + warm
用法筆記
Can be used transitively (warm + object) or intransitively (subject + warm). The intransitive use often describes gradual change, as in 'the weather is warming.' For food reheating, 'warm up' is more common in everyday speech.