Warmhearted

Warmhearted is an English adjective describing a person who shows genuine warmth, kindness, and sympathy in their interactions. A warmhearted individual is typically considerate, friendly, and quick to offer help or encouragement. The term is usually used with a favorable tone and can apply to behavior, demeanor, or overall disposition. It can also be used to describe a character in literature or film, or a particularly hospitable or generous action.

Etymology and form: the word is a compound of warm and heart, with heart suggesting emotional warmth. It is commonly written as warm-hearted, though the unhyphenated form warmhearted is also encountered in modern usage. The phrase originates from the early modern period in English.

Usage and nuance: warmhearted conveys not just kindness in theory but a visible warmth in manner and speech. It contrasts with cold-hearted or aloof dispositions and sits among related terms such as kind, benevolent, compassionate, and sympathetic. In some contexts, it can soften tone or add a humane ethos to descriptions of people or narratives.

Examples: A warmhearted host welcomed guests with a smile. The protagonist is portrayed as warmhearted, always ready to help those in distress.

See also: warmth; kindness; benevolence; empathy.