warm

Having a fairly high temperature, between cool and hot.

• The water is warm.
• Wear a warm coat today.
• It was warm enough to sit outside.

Opposites: cool, cold

Common phrases: warm water, warm weather, warm clothes, warm tea

Showing friendliness, kindness, or affection.

• She gave me a warm smile.
• We received a warm welcome from our neighbors.
• His letter was warm and full of affection.

Similar words: friendly, affectionate, cordial

Opposites: cold, unfriendly

Common phrases: warm welcome, warm smile, warm friendship

To make something hotter, or to become hotter.

• Warm the soup before serving it.
• The sun warmed our faces.
• The room slowly warmed as the fire burned.

How to use it: warm something up (Warm the milk up gently.); warm something by something (She warmed her hands by the fire.)

Similar words: heat, heat up

Opposites: cool

Common phrases: warm the soup, warm your hands, warm up

To become more excited or enthusiastic while speaking or doing something.

• The speaker warmed as he continued.
• She warmed to her subject and spoke faster.
• He warmed to his theme, adding more examples.

How to use it: warm to a subject/theme (She warmed to her theme as the audience began to respond.)

Similar words: become animated, become enthusiastic

Common phrases: warm to something, warm to the subject, warm as someone speaks

A short time spent making something hotter or getting hotter yourself.

• Give the soup a quick warm.
• We stopped for a warm by the fire.
• My coffee needs a warm in the microwave.

Similar words: heating

Common phrases: a quick warm, give something a warm, have a warm