warm
4 antonyms and opposites of warm, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Having a moderately high, usually pleasant, temperature.
Antonyms
How to use warm
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English wearm, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "warm," possibly related to an ancient word for "to burn."
Full origin of warm →Frequently asked questions
What does “warm” mean?
The word “warm” means having a moderately high, usually pleasant, temperature. In plain terms, having a pleasant, moderate heat, or, of people, being friendly and kind.
How do you pronounce “warm”?
“Warm” is pronounced wawm (/wɔɹm/ in IPA).
How do you use “warm” in a sentence?
Here is “warm” used in a sentence: “Wrap up in this blanket, it's nice and warm.”
What is another word for “warm”?
Words with a similar meaning to “warm” include tepid, mild and balmy.
What is the opposite of “warm”?
The opposite of “warm” — its antonyms — are Arctic, cold, cool and frozen.
What part of speech is “warm”?
Depending on how it is used, “warm” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “warm” come from?
The word “warm” comes from Old English. From Old English wearm, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "warm," possibly related to an ancient word for "to burn.".
Is “warm” a common word?
“Warm” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between warm and hot?
The difference is degree. Warm means a moderately high, comfortable temperature, pleasant to the touch and easy to be around. Hot is more intense, sometimes uncomfortably or dangerously so. Warm bathwater is soothing; hot bathwater can scald. Warm sits between cool and hot on the scale of temperature.
What is the opposite of warm?
For temperature, the opposite of warm is cool or cold, describing a low rather than moderately high temperature. When warm is used of personality, meaning friendly and affectionate, its opposite is cold or distant. So a warm room becomes cold, while a warm welcome becomes a cold, unwelcoming one.
Can warm describe a person or feeling?
Yes. Beyond temperature, warm often describes personality and emotion, meaning friendly, kind, and affectionate. A "warm welcome" is genuinely caring, and a "warm smile" feels sincere. The idea borrows from physical warmth, comfortable and inviting, to describe people who make others feel at ease and valued.