Vocabulary in context
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Balm
A fragrant ointment or preparation used to soothe or heal; something that provides comfort or consolation.
noun💡
Imagine This
You can find a special kind of ointment that soothes pain in palm tree oils.
🔊
Sounds Like
palm
👀
Looks Like
calm (visually similar; ends with -alm)
📝
Remember This
Tiger Balm is a famous brand; Michael Chang, a top professional tennis player, advertised it, claiming it relieved his muscle aches after matches.
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Other Forms
balmyadjective
balminessnoun
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Connect With
ointment, salve, emollient, soothing agent, comfort
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Note
Balm is typically used as a noun referring to a soothing preparation. Do not confuse with balmy, an adjective meaning soothing or mild, or with balmy weather, which is not a preparation for healing.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The pharmacist recommended a soothing balm for the irritated skin.
- Her thoughtful note was a balm to his anxious heart.
Synonyms
ointmentsalveemollientsoothing agentcomfort
Antonyms
irritantaggravationpain
Etymology
From Old English balm, from Latin balsamum, from Greek balsamon, from Hebrew basam 'fragrance' or 'spice'.
Mnemonic
Be A Little Merciful
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).
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