warmth
- The quality of being warm in temperature, or the feeling of kindness, affection, and friendliness.
In a sentence
- The warmth of the fireplace made the cold winter evening feel cozy and inviting.
- Everyone was drawn to her because of the genuine warmth she showed to strangers.
Usage note. When used figuratively, 'warmth' describes an emotional quality of character; be careful not to overuse it, as it can become a cliché in descriptions of people.
Where it comes from
Old English wearmth — “warmth, heat” · entered English Old English period
Derived from Old English 'wearmth,' formed from 'wearm' (warm) plus the noun-forming suffix '-th,' as in 'length' or 'strength.' The root 'wearm' traces back to Proto-Germanic '*warmaz' and is related to Old High German 'warm.' The word has been in use in English since the Old English period, with figurative senses of emotional warmth developing later.