Warming

'wɔːrmɪŋ

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
4 meanings3 questions

Definitions

4 meanings
1

The act or process of becoming warmer.

'wɔːrmɪŋ

nounneutralBeginner
General

The process of becoming warm or the state of being warm.

The warming of the soup felt good on a chilly day.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're standing outside on a cold day, then you go inside and get cozy. Warming is like that—making things warmer. For example, 'The sun is causing warming of the Earth.'

👶 For kids: Making something get a little bit hotter.

More Examples

2

Scientists are studying the effects of global warming on the planet.

How It's Used

Environmental Science

"Global warming is a major concern for scientists."

Meteorology

"The forecast predicts a gradual warming trend over the weekend."

2

An increase in friendliness or positive relations.

'wɔːrmɪŋ

nounpositivemedium
General

A period of increased friendliness or improved relations.

The dinner party brought a warming atmosphere to the guests.

💡 Simply: Imagine two people who weren’t friends before. If they start talking more and becoming friends, that’s a 'warming' in their relationship. It’s about getting friendlier or nicer.

👶 For kids: When people start to like each other more.

More Examples

2

A warming in their business relationship led to greater collaboration.

How It's Used

Politics

"There has been a warming in relations between the two countries."

Social

"The party provided a warming atmosphere for the guests."

Tip:Think of warming up to a person as you get to know them better.
3

Being in the process of becoming warmer.

'wɔːrmɪŋ

adjectiveneutralBeginner
General

Becoming warmer.

The warming sun dried the wet clothes on the line.

💡 Simply: If you're standing outside and the sun comes out, you might say 'The sun is warming things up.'

👶 For kids: When something is getting a little bit hot.

More Examples

2

The weather is warming up.

How It's Used

weather

"The warming sun felt great on my skin."

General

"A warming beverage can ease a cold"

Tip:Focus on the concept of being warmer, or getting warm.
4

In the process of making something or becoming warmer.

'wɔːrmɪŋ

verb - present participleneutralBeginner
General

Present participle of the verb warm (to make or become warm).

The sun is warming the beach sand.

💡 Simply: Think about putting your hands near a fire – they're warming up. Or heating up some soup, that's warming the soup.

👶 For kids: Making something hot.

More Examples

2

She is warming her hands by the fire.

How It's Used

General

"The process of warming the engine before starting it."

Culinary

"Warming the leftovers in the microwave."

Tip:Adding heat to a situation, action.

From Old English *wierman*, meaning "to make warm," influenced by the Germanic root *warma-*. The suffix -ing indicates a continuous action or state.

The word 'warming' has been used in English for centuries, initially referring to making something or becoming warmer, and later in the 19th and 20th centuries to describe the effects on climate.

Memory tip

Think of a warm blanket; warming is the process of getting comfortable.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"wierman (to make warm)"

global warmingwarming trendwarming upwarming climate

Common misspellings

wormingwarrmingwharming

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written