noun
balm
bahm
noun
1
A soothing ointment or lotion applied to the skin.
"She rubbed lip balm on her chapped lips."
"The salve worked as a balm for his sunburned shoulders."
2
Something that comforts or eases pain, whether physical or emotional.
"Her kind words were a balm to his grief."
How to Use Balm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soothing substance for the skin, or figuratively anything that eases pain or distress.
Common pairings
lip balm
a balm for the soul
soothing balm
Word Forms
balmed past tense, balms plural, balms singular
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Etymology
From Old French basme, tracing back to Latin balsamum and ultimately Greek balsamon, referring to fragrant plant resin.