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warmth

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Etymology and origin of the English word warmth

Confidence
Established
Formation
Inherited
First attested
c. 1175, Lambeth Homilies
Inherited from
Proto-Germanic *warmiþō via Middle English, Old English
Ultimate origin
Proto-Germanic *warmiþō

Pronunciation

  • UK: /wɔːmθ/[1]
  • US: /wɔɹmθ/[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English wermth (also warmeth),[2][3][4] unrecorded inherited from Old English *wiermþu or *wærmþu,[5] inherited from Proto-Germanic *warmiþō,[5][4] formed on the adjective that gave warm with the noun suffix -th.[5][4][6] It is cognate with Middle Low German wermede, Dutch warmte and Middle High German wermede.[5][7][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

A pleasantly warm state of the air, a gentle heat: c. 1175, in the Lambeth Homilies.[5] Etymonline dates the word to the late 12th century and Merriam-Webster to the 13th.[4][2]

Semantic evolution

Shakespeare used it for the natural heat of a living body (Romeo and Juliet, 1599) and for strength of feeling or enthusiasm (The Merchant of Venice, 1600).[5][4] In 1710 Steele applied it to a heated temper close to anger.[5][4] From 1716 painters spoke of the warmth of glowing colours.[5][4] Johnson (1755) gave "gentle heat" first, then "zeal; passion; fervour of mind".[8] Later senses include the hotness of spices (1816) and, following warm "well off", prosperity (1888).[5]

Timeline

  • c. 1175 – gentle heat of the air.[5]
  • 1599 – the natural heat of the body.[5]
  • 1600 – fervent feeling, enthusiasm.[5]
  • 1653 – figurative use of gentle heat.[5]
  • 1710 – a heated temper.[5][4]
  • 1716 – the glow of warm colours in painting.[5]
  • 1816 – pungency of seasoning.[5]
  • 1888 – being well off.[5]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. The state of being warm; moderate, comfortable heat: the warmth of the stove.
  2. Affection, friendliness or cordiality.
  3. Intensity of feeling, whether enthusiasm or anger: she answered with some warmth.
  4. (art) A glowing effect produced by warm colours.

Word family

  • warmthless
  • warmthlessness

References

  1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  3. ^ Dictionary.com Unabridged (2016), based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, New York: Random House
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
  6. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  7. ^ Klein, Ernest. A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the English Language. 2 vols. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1966–1967.
  8. ^ Johnson, Samuel (1755), A Dictionary of the English Language, London; 4th ed. 1773; Johnson's Dictionary Online, ed. Beth Rapp Young et al.

Related etymologies

  • stall · also from Proto-Germanic
  • foam · also from Proto-Germanic
  • mold · also from Proto-Germanic
  • worm · also from Proto-Germanic
  • dwarf · also from Proto-Germanic
  • deed · also from Proto-Germanic
  • crab · also from Proto-Germanic
  • heath · also from Proto-Germanic
Cite this entry

“Warmth.” Etymologically, 22 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/warmth. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·