Warm vs. Sunny — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 2, 2023
"Warm" refers to a moderate level of heat, whereas "sunny" describes weather with sunshine and little to no cloud cover.
Difference Between Warm and Sunny
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Warm is an adjective that describes a temperature that is comfortably high but not hot. This term is often used to describe a pleasant level of heat, whether it's in reference to the weather, an object, or an emotion. Warm weather is typically considered enjoyable and is associated with a feeling of coziness.
Sunny refers specifically to weather conditions. When the weather is sunny, it means the sun is shining and the sky is usually clear of clouds. It does not necessarily mean the temperature is warm, as sunny days can occur in both summer and winter. Sunny can also be used to describe a place that receives a lot of sunlight or to metaphorically describe a cheerful disposition.
A warm day makes one think of mild temperatures suitable for outdoor activities without causing discomfort. It suggests a time when one might enjoy a light breeze and perhaps the shade of a tree. Warm can also relate to a person's warm reception or attitude, which is friendly and inviting.
In contrast, a sunny day is all about the presence of the sun. It evokes images of bright blue skies and the sun casting its rays upon the landscape. While warmth may accompany the sunshine, it is not a given, as sunny days can sometimes be crisp and cold, especially in winter.
Both warm and sunny have positive connotations and are often desired descriptions of weather. However, while "warm" is about how things feel, "sunny" is about how things look or seem.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Moderately high temperature.
Weather with sunshine, clear of clouds.
Associated With
Temperature, feelings, reception.
Sunshine, disposition, clarity.
Independent of
Light conditions (can be warm without sunshine).
Temperature (can be sunny without warmth).
Usage in Forecasting
Describes temperature.
Describes the state of the sky.
Example in a Sentence
"The blanket was warm and cozy."
"The forecast predicts a sunny day ahead."
Compare with Definitions
Warm
Friendly.
Her warm smile was reassuring.
Sunny
Full of sunshine.
It was a sunny day at the beach.
Warm
Closer to red.
She chose a warm color palette for the room.
Sunny
Bright.
The room was sunny and inviting.
Warm
Fresh.
The bread was still warm from the oven.
Sunny
Cheerful.
Her sunny disposition made her popular.
Warm
Of or at a fairly or comfortably high temperature
I walked quickly to keep warm
A warm September evening
Sunny
Clear.
The skies remained sunny after the storm.
Warm
Having or showing enthusiasm, affection, or kindness
They exchanged warm, friendly smiles
A warm welcome
Sunny
Exposed to or abounding in sunshine
A sunny room.
Warm
(of a colour) containing red, yellow, or orange tones
Her fair colouring suited soft, warm shades
Sunny
Cheerful; genial
A sunny smile.
Warm
(of a scent or trail) fresh; strong.
Sunny
(of weather or a day) Featuring a lot of sunshine.
Whilst it may be sunny today, the weather forecast is predicting rain.
Warm
Make or become warm
The film warmed our hearts
It's a bit chilly in here, but it'll soon warm up
I stamped my feet to warm them up
Sunny
(of a place) Receiving a lot of sunshine.
The sunny side of a hill
I would describe Spain as sunny, but it's nothing in comparison to the Sahara.
Warm
A warm place or area
Stay in the warm, I've made up the fire for you
Sunny
(figuratively) Cheerful.
A person with a sunny disposition
Warm
Short for British warm
Sunny
Of or relating to the sun; proceeding from, or resembling the sun; shiny; radiant.
Warm
Somewhat hotter than temperate; having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat; moderately hot
A warm climate.
Sunny
Sunny side up
Warm
Having the natural heat of living beings
A warm body.
Sunny
A sunfish.
Warm
Preserving or imparting heat
A warm jacket.
Sunny
Of or pertaining to the sun; proceeding from, or resembling the sun; hence, shining; bright; brilliant; radiant.
Warm
Having or causing a sensation of unusually high body heat, as from exercise or hard work; overheated.
Sunny
Exposed to the rays of the sun; brightened or warmed by the direct rays of the sun; as, a sunny room; the sunny side of a hill.
Her blooming mountains and her sunny shores.
Warm
Marked by enthusiasm; ardent
Warm support.
Sunny
Cheerful; genial; as, a sunny disposition.
My decayed fairA sunny look of his would soon repair.
Warm
Characterized by liveliness, excitement, or disagreement; heated
A warm debate.
Sunny
See Sunfish (b).
Warm
Marked by or revealing friendliness or sincerity; cordial
Warm greetings.
Sunny
Abounding with sunlight;
A bright sunny day
One shining norming
When it is warm and shiny
Warm
Loving; passionate
A warm embrace.
Sunny
Bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer;
A cheery hello
A gay sunny room
A sunny smile
Warm
Excitable, impetuous, or quick to be aroused
A warm temper.
Sunny
Having a sunny aspect.
The sunny side of the street was filled with flowers.
Warm
Predominantly red or yellow in tone
A warm sunset.
Warm
Recently made; fresh
A warm trail.
Warm
Close to discovering, guessing, or finding something, as in certain games.
Warm
(Informal) Uncomfortable because of danger or annoyance
Things are warm for the bookies.
Warm
To raise slightly in temperature; make warm
Warmed the rolls a bit more.
Warm up the house.
Warm
To make zealous or ardent; enliven.
Warm
To fill with pleasant emotions
We were warmed by the sight of home.
Warm
To become warm
The rolls are warming in the oven.
Warm
To become ardent, enthusiastic, or animated
Began to warm to the subject.
Warm
To become kindly disposed or friendly
She felt the audience warming to her.
Warm
A warming or heating.
Warm
Having a temperature slightly higher than usual, but still pleasant; mildly hot.
The tea is still warm.
This is a very warm room.
Warm
Caring and friendly, of relations to another person.
We have a warm friendship.
Warm
Having a color in the red-orange-yellow part of the visible electromagnetic spectrum.
Warm
Close, often used in the context of a game in which "warm" and "cold" are used to indicate nearness to the goal.
Warm
Fresh, of a scent; still able to be traced.
Warm
(figurative) Communicating a sense of comfort, ease, or pleasantness
A warm piano sound
Warm
(archaic) Ardent, zealous.
A warm debate, with strong words exchanged
Warm
Well off as to property, or in good circumstances; prosperous.
Warm
(archaic) Requiring arduous effort.
Warm
(transitive) To make or keep warm.
Warm
(intransitive) To become warm, to heat up.
My socks are warming by the fire.
The earth soon warms on a clear summer day.
Warm
Sometimes in the form warm up To favour increasingly.
He is warming to the idea.
Her classmates are gradually warming to her.
Warm
(intransitive) To become ardent or animated.
The speaker warms as he proceeds.
Warm
(transitive) To make engaged or earnest; to interest; to engage; to excite ardor or zeal in; to enliven.
Warm
To beat or spank.
Warm
To prepopulate (a cache) so that its contents are ready for other users.
Warm
(colloquial) The act of warming, or the state of being warmed; a heating.
Shall I give your coffee a warm in the microwave?
Warm
Having heat in a moderate degree; not cold as, warm milk.
Warm and still is the summer night.
Warm
Having a sensation of heat, esp. of gentle heat; glowing.
Warm
Subject to heat; having prevalence of heat, or little or no cold weather; as, the warm climate of Egypt.
Warm
Fig.: Not cool, indifferent, lukewarm, or the like, in spirit or temper; zealous; ardent; fervent; excited; sprightly; irritable; excitable.
Mirth, and youth, and warm desire!
Each warm wish springs mutual from the heart.
They say he's warm man and does not care to be mad mouths at.
I had been none of the warmest of partisans.
Warm
Violent; vehement; furious; excited; passionate; as, a warm contest; a warm debate.
Welcome, daylight; we shall have warm work on't.
Warm
Being well off as to property, or in good circumstances; forehanded; rich.
Warm householders, every one of them.
You shall have a draft upon him, payable at sight: and let me tell you he as warm a man as any within five miles round him.
Warm
In children's games, being near the object sought for; hence, being close to the discovery of some person, thing, or fact concealed.
Here, indeed, young Mr. Dowse was getting "warm," children say at blindman's buff.
Warm
Having yellow or red for a basis, or in their composition; - said of colors, and opposed to cold which is of blue and its compounds.
Warm
To communicate a moderate degree of heat to; to render warm; to supply or furnish heat to; as, a stove warms an apartment.
Then shall it [an ash tree] be for a man to burn; for he will take thereof and warm himself.
Enough to warm, but not enough to burn.
Warm
To make engaged or earnest; to interest; to engage; to excite ardor or zeal; to enliven.
I formerly warmed my head with reading controversial writings.
Bright hopes, that erst bosom warmed.
Warm
To become warm, or moderately heated; as, the earth soon warms in a clear day summer.
There shall not be a coal to warm at.
Warm
To become ardent or animated; as, the speake warms as he proceeds.
Warm
The act of warming, or the state of being warmed; a warming; a heating.
Warm
Get warm or warmer;
The soup warmed slowly on the stove
Warm
Make warm or warmer;
The blanket will warm you
Warm
Having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat;
A warm body
A warm room
A warm climate
A warm coat
Warm
Psychologically warm; friendly and responsive;
A warm greeting
A warm personality
Warm support
Warm
(color) inducing the impression of warmth; used especially of reds and oranges and yellows;
Warm reds and yellows and orange
Warm
Having or displaying warmth or affection;
Affectionate children
Caring parents
A fond embrace
Fond of his nephew
A tender glance
A warm embrace
Warm
Freshly made or left;
A warm trail
The scent is warm
Warm
Easily aroused or excited;
A quick temper
A warm temper
Warm
Characterized by strong enthusiasm;
Ardent revolutionaries
Warm support
Warm
Characterized by liveliness or excitement or disagreement;
A warm debate
Warm
Uncomfortable because of possible danger or trouble;
Made things warm for the bookies
Warm
Of a seeker; near to the object sought;
You're getting warm
Hot on the trail
Warm
In a warm manner;
Warmly dressed
Warm-clad skiers
Warm
Moderately hot.
The soup was warm enough to eat.
Warm
Enthusiastic.
He received a warm welcome at the gathering.
Common Curiosities
Is "warm" subjective?
Yes, what is considered warm can vary from person to person.
Can it be sunny and cold?
Yes, it can be sunny with clear skies but still have cold temperatures.
What does "keep warm" mean?
It's an expression used to tell someone to stay at a comfortable temperature.
What's the difference between sunny and bright?
Sunny specifically means the sun is shining, while bright can refer to any strong light.
Does "warm" only apply to weather?
No, warm can describe temperatures, feelings, and colors.
What does "warm" refer to in weather?
Warm refers to pleasant, mild temperatures in weather conditions.
Can foods be warm?
Yes, foods that are mildly hot to the touch are described as warm.
Does "sunny" imply there is no rain?
Sunny typically means no rain, but brief showers can sometimes occur on sunny days.
Can "sunny" be used figuratively?
Yes, it can describe someone's cheerful personality.
How do you describe a warm person?
A warm person is friendly, kind, and inviting.
What does "sunny side up" mean?
It's a way to cook an egg with the yolk up and not flipped over.
Is "warm up" used in sports?
Yes, "warm up" refers to exercises done to prepare the muscles for physical activity.
Does "sunny" relate to temperature in forecasts?
Not directly; it describes the likelihood of sunshine, not heat.
Can "sunny" refer to a part of a building?
Yes, if it gets a lot of sunlight, it can be called a sunny room.
Can a welcome be warm?
Yes, a welcome can be warm, meaning it's hearty and friendly.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Convertor vs. Converter
Next Comparison
Extrapolate vs. InterpolateAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
