adj
balmy
BAH-mee
Balmy (adj) means of weather, pleasantly warm and mild. Example: “It was a balmy evening, perfect for dining outside.”
adj
1
Of weather, pleasantly warm and mild.
"It was a balmy evening, perfect for dining outside."
"The balmy breeze off the sea made the walk lovely."
2
Slightly crazy or foolish (British slang).
"You'd have to be balmy to try that stunt."
How to use balmy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPleasantly mild weather, or (informally, mainly UK) a bit mad.
UK vs US
The "crazy" sense is distinctly British and rarely used in American English.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- balmier
- Superlative
- balmiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was a _____ evening, perfect for dining outside.
Etymology
From "balm" plus -y, originally describing air as soft and fragrant as balm; the "crazy" sense developed separately in British slang.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “balmy” mean?
The word “balmy” means of weather, pleasantly warm and mild. In plain terms, pleasantly mild weather, or (informally, mainly UK) a bit mad.
How do you pronounce “balmy”?
“Balmy” is pronounced BAH-mee (/ˈbɑmi/ in IPA).
How do you use “balmy” in a sentence?
Here is “balmy” used in a sentence: “It was a balmy evening, perfect for dining outside.”
What part of speech is “balmy”?
“Balmy” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “balmy” have?
“Balmy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: of weather, pleasantly warm and mild.
