noun
Uncommon
balm
bahm
Balm (noun) means a soothing ointment or lotion applied to the skin. Example: “She rubbed lip balm on her chapped lips.”
noun
1
A soothing ointment or lotion applied to the skin.
"She rubbed lip balm on her chapped lips."
"The salve worked as a balm for his sunburned shoulders."
2
Something that comforts or eases pain, whether physical or emotional.
"Her kind words were a balm to his grief."
How to use balm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soothing substance for the skin, or figuratively anything that eases pain or distress.
Common pairings
lip balm
a balm for the soul
soothing balm
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Word forms
- Plural
- balms
- Third person singular
- balms
- Past tense
- balmed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She rubbed lip _____ on her chapped lips.
Etymology
From Old French basme, tracing back to Latin balsamum and ultimately Greek balsamon, referring to fragrant plant resin.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for balm
See all rhymes for balm →Frequently asked questions
What does “balm” mean?
The word “balm” means a soothing ointment or lotion applied to the skin. In plain terms, a soothing substance for the skin, or figuratively anything that eases pain or distress.
How do you pronounce “balm”?
“Balm” is pronounced bahm (/bɑm/ in IPA).
How do you use “balm” in a sentence?
Here is “balm” used in a sentence: “She rubbed lip balm on her chapped lips.”
What part of speech is “balm”?
“Balm” is a noun.
Where does the word “balm” come from?
The word “balm” comes from Latin. From Old French basme, tracing back to Latin balsamum and ultimately Greek balsamon, referring to fragrant plant resin.
Is “balm” a common word?
“Balm” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “balm” have?
“Balm” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soothing ointment or lotion applied to the skin.
