What does "balm" mean?
Any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora of Africa, Arabia and India and Myroxylon of South America.
Balm
/bɑm/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora of Africa, Arabia and India and Myroxylon of South America.
- Grammar: balm is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: ointment, salve, unguent, aid.
- Useful contrasts: aggravate, agitate, caustic agent.
- Usage evidence: Do you have some lip balm? My lips are dry.
How to use "balm"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "balm" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "balm" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "balm" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "balm" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "balm" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "ointment" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "balm", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora of Africa, Arabia and India and Myroxylon of South America. countable, uncountable
- 2 semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation wordnet
- 3 An aromatic preparation for embalming the dead. countable, uncountable
- 4 any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing wordnet
- 5 A plant or tree yielding such substance. countable, uncountable
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one. countable, uncountable
- 7 Something soothing. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"Classical music is a sweet balm for our sorrows."
- 8 The lemon balm, Melissa officinalis. countable, uncountable
- 9 Any of a number of other aromatic herbs with a similar citrus-like scent, such as bee balm and horsebalm. countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal. archaic, transitive
"Shrouded in cloth of state, balmed and entreasured / With full bags of spices!"
- 2 To soothe; to mitigate. figuratively, transitive
"This rest might yet have balmed thy broken sinews"
Example
"Do you have some lip balm? My lips are dry."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "balm"?
Common synonyms include: ointment, salve, unguent, aid, allay, alleviate.
How do you use "balm" in a sentence?
Do you have some lip balm? My lips are dry.
How do you pronounce "balm"?
Pronounced /bɑm/.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English bawme, borrowed from Anglo-Norman and Middle French baume, from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum, itself from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον (bálsamon). Spelling modified 16th c. to conform to Latin etymology. Doublet of balsam and desman.