warm: Meaning and Definition of

warm

Pronunciation: (wôrm), [key]
— adj., v., n. -er, -est,
—adj.
  1. having or giving out a moderate degree of heat, as perceived by the senses: a warm bath.
  2. of or at a moderately high temperature; characterized by comparatively high temperature: a warm oven; a warm climate; a warm summer.
  3. having a sensation of bodily heat: to be warm from fast walking.
  4. conserving or maintaining warmth or heat: warm clothes.
  5. (of colors) suggestive of warmth; inclining toward red or orange rather than toward green or blue.
  6. characterized by or showing lively feelings, passions, emotions, sympathies, etc.: a warm heart; warm interest.
  7. strongly attached; intimate: warm friends.
  8. cordial or hearty: a warm welcome.
  9. heated, irritated, or angry: to become warm when contradicted.
  10. animated, lively, brisk, or vigorous: a warm debate.
  11. strong or fresh: a warm scent.
  12. close to something sought, as in a game.
  13. uncomfortable or unpleasant: His opponents made things so warm that he decided to quit.
  14. well off; in easy circumstances.
—v.t.
  1. to make warm; heat (often fol. by up): to warm one's hands; to warm up a room.
  2. to heat or cook (something) for reuse, as leftovers (usually fol. by over or up): to warm up yesterday's stew.
  3. to excite enthusiasm, ardor, cheerfulness, or vitality in (someone): The wine soon warmed the company.
  4. to inspire with kindly feeling; affect with lively pleasure: It warms my soul to hear you say that.
  5. to fill (a person, crowd, etc.) with strong feelings, as hatred, anger, or zeal: Restrictions had warmed the crew to the point of mutiny.
—v.i.
  1. to become warm or warmer (often fol. by up): The room will warm up when the fire gets going.
  2. to become ardent, enthusiastic, animated, etc. (often fol. by up or to): The speaker quickly warmed to her subject.
  3. to grow kindly, friendly, or sympathetically disposed (often fol. by to or toward): My heart warms toward him.
  4. to conclude or follow a period of strenuous physical exercise by walking or gentle stretching.
  5. to serve as a substitute who rarely plays in a game: The young outfielder warmed the bench for the Yankees last season.
  6. The racial situation was warming up.
    1. to prepare for a game, sports contest, dance, etc., by moderate exercise or practice beforehand.
    2. to increase in excitement, intensity, violence, etc.:The racial situation was warming up.
    3. to become friendlier or more receptive:No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't warm up to that proposal.
    4. Radio and Television.to entertain (an audience) prior to a broadcast to increase receptiveness.
—n.
  1. a warming: Sit by the fire and have a nice warm.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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