warmth

[wawrmth]

noun

1. the quality or state of being warm; moderate or gentle heat.

2. the sensation of moderate heat.

3. liveliness of feelings, emotions, or sympathies; ardor or fervor; enthusiasm or zeal.

   She spoke her mind with great warmth. There was warmth in his greeting and in his handshake.

   Synonyms: vigor, spirit, fire, heat

4. the quality of being intimate and attached.

   All children need warmth and affection from their families.

   Synonyms: affection, kindness, tenderness

5. an effect of brightness, cheerfulness, coziness, etc., achieved by the use of warm colors.

   The room has warmth since it was redecorated.

6. the means or ability to produce a sensation of heat.

   a jacket with little warmth.

7. slight anger or irritation.

   Her denial betrayed some warmth.

warmth

/ wɔːmθ /

noun

1. the state, quality, or sensation of being warm

2. intensity of emotion

   he denied the accusation with some warmth

3. affection or cordiality

Other Word Forms

• warmthless adjective
• warmthlessness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of warmth¹

First recorded in 1125–75, warmth is from the Middle English word wermth. See warm, -th ¹

Example Sentences

By contrast, as the tense, excitable Jake, Law doesn’t generate much warmth, or make you believe he’s actually capable of opening a high-class midtown restaurant.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps that heat he feels is not the warmth of success, but the hellfire of the demon’s fury.

From Salon

A potbellied stove washes its warmth over strutting men, women and children.

From Los Angeles Times

Although the pool was supposedly heated, the actors didn’t experience any warmth.

From Los Angeles Times

Tracy Long’s project, titled Mamo, questions the sterility and uniformity of prefab design by adding layers of patina, warmth and natural connection to its modular system.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affection 
• compassion 
• enthusiasm 
• fervor 
• glow 
• hospitality 
• kindness 
• passion 
• spirit