George A. Parks
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Aromatic ointments and fragrances are the bomb. They are also, literally, balms: healing substances and soothing scents with the power to ease both mind and body. The original balm, what Latin-speakers referred to as balsamum, was the oleoresin of a species of balsam tree. In Anglo-French, balsamum became basme and baume, spellings which entered Middle English and later became balm. Balm eventually begat the adjective balmy, used to describe things with a balm’s comforting, calming qualities, as when Shakespeare’s Othello speaks of “balmy slumbers.” Today balmy is typically used to describe the weather—balmy breezes, balmy temperatures, balmy spring afternoons, et al—conditions that are neither too hot nor too cold, but just right—Goldilocks conditions, even.
Examples of balmy in a Sentence
Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
The tie-string back is perfect for letting that balmy breeze flow while the balloon sleeves make a statement.
—Brittany Talarico, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Kai’s linen spray smells like a balmy island breeze picking up the scent of fresh gardenias and white flowers, then drifting by your bed.
—Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Feb. 2025
Most people come to Florida to enjoy balmy breezes and stories about people robbing 7-Eleven’s with an alligator.
—Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Balmy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balmy. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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