balmy
balmy Lexical Profile
balmy Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Pleasantly warm, mild, and soothing (typically of weather, air, or a breeze).
"We spent the evening strolling along the boardwalk, enjoying the balmy ocean breeze."
Having a soothing, fragrant, or aromatic quality reminiscent of balm.
"The greenhouse was filled with the balmy scent of blooming jasmine and cedarwood."
British Foolish, eccentric, or slightly crazy (a variant spelling of 'barmy').
"His neighbors thought he was completely balmy for attempting to sail across the channel in a homemade boat."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'balmy' (pleasantly warm and soothing) with the British slang spelling 'barmy' (foolish, eccentric, or crazy), though 'balmy' is occasionally used as a variant spelling for 'barmy' in informal contexts.
• Rhymes for balmy
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the late 15th century, 'balmy' derives from the noun 'balm' (an aromatic, soothing resin), which entered Middle English via Old French 'basme' from Latin 'balsamum' and Ancient Greek 'balsamon'.