Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 PHRASAL VERB If you warm something up or if it warms up , it gets hotter. □ [V n P ] He blew on his hands to warm them up. □ [V P n] All that she would have to do was warm up the pudding. □ [V P ] The weather had warmed up.

2 PHRASAL VERB If you warm up for an event such as a race, you prepare yourself for it by doing exercises or by practising just before it starts. □ [V P ] In an hour the drivers will be warming up for the main event.

3 → see also warm-up

4 PHRASAL VERB When a machine or engine warms up or someone warms it up , it becomes ready for use a little while after being switched on or started. □ [V P ] He waited for his car to warm up. □ [V P n] We spent a frustrating five minutes while the pilot warmed up the engines. [Also V n P ]

5 PHRASAL VERB If a comedian or speaker warms up an audience or the audience warms up , the audience is prepared for the main show or speaker by being told jokes, so that they are in a good mood. □ [V P n] They would always come out and warm up the audience. □ [V P ] The crowd began to warm up.

wa rm-bloo ded ADJ A warm-blooded animal, for example a bird or a mammal, has a fairly high body temperature which does not change much and is not affected by the surrounding temperature.

wa rm-down (warm-downs ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A warm-down is a series of special exercises that you do after doing a physical activity to help relax your muscles and joints.

wa rm-hea rted ADJ A warm-hearted person is friendly and affectionate.

war|monger /wɔː ^r mʌŋgə ^r / (warmongers ) N‑COUNT If you describe a politician or leader as a warmonger , you disapprove of them because you think they are encouraging people to start or join a war. [DISAPPROVAL ]

warmth /wɔː ^r mθ/

1 N‑UNCOUNT The warmth of something is the heat that it has or produces. □ [+ of ] She went further into the room, drawn by the warmth of the fire.

2 N‑UNCOUNT The warmth of something such as a garment or blanket is the protection that it gives you against the cold. □  The blanket will provide additional warmth and comfort in bed.

3 N‑UNCOUNT Someone who has warmth is friendly and enthusiastic in their behaviour towards other people. □  He greeted us both with warmth and affection.

wa rm-up (warm-ups ) N‑COUNT [usu sing, N n] A warm-up is something that prepares you for an activity or event, usually because it is a short practice or example of what the activity or event will involve. □ [+ for ] The exercises can be fun and a good warm-up for the latter part of the programme. □ [+ for ] The criticism was merely a warm-up for what is being prepared for the finance minister.

warn ◆◆◇ /wɔː ^r n/ (warns , warning , warned )

1 VERB If you warn someone about something such as a possible danger or problem, you tell them about it so that they are aware of it. □ [V n that] When I had my first baby, friends warned me that children were expensive. □ [V n + of/about ] They warned him of the dangers of sailing alone. □ [V that] Analysts warned that Europe's most powerful economy may be facing trouble. □ [V + of ] He also warned of a possible anti-Western backlash.

2 VERB If you warn someone not to do something, you advise them not to do it so that they can avoid possible danger or punishment. □ [V n to-inf] Mrs. Blount warned me not to interfere. □ [V with quote] 'Don't do anything yet,' he warned. 'Too risky.' □ [V n with quote] 'Keep quiet, or they'll all come out,' they warned him. □ [V n + against ] I wish I'd listened to the people who warned me against having the operation.