slightly warmer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly warmer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a small increase in temperature compared to a previous state or reference point. Example: "The weather today is slightly warmer than it was yesterday, making it more pleasant for outdoor activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The air was only slightly warmer.

The New York Times

According to the draft map, Westchester County is among the areas that have grown slightly warmer.

The New York Times

Even with 6.15pm kick-offs local time, the temperature will be slightly warmer than in Salford.

The Guardian - Sport

Because gravitational waves squeeze space as they propagate, they make some patches slightly warmer than others.

The Guardian

May broke the freakish pattern – slightly warmer, sunnier, and drier than normal.

Independent

Then I tasted the combination of sweet, juicy, tart (and cold) orange and bitter, fatty, slightly warmer tapenade.

The New York Times

In meeting the Dalai Lama in the residence, Mr. Bush was offering a slightly warmer welcome than President Clinton did.

The New York Times

Slightly paradoxically, I also get the impression of receiving a slightly warmer welcome when riding in everyday clothes.

The Guardian

The fossil record suggests that temperatures slightly warmer than today would not be enough to melt the ice caps entirely.

The New York Times - Science

The matchday weather forecast suggests slightly warmer conditions but Georgia's forwards are equipped to make life just as inhospitable for their opposite numbers as Romania did last Saturday.

The Guardian - Sport

But, as Shenkman plays him, instead of transforming from boy to man, he just goes from being a cold drone to being a slightly warmer drone.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly warmer" when you want to indicate a small, often barely perceptible, increase in temperature compared to a known reference point or previous state. It's useful when precision isn't critical but conveying a relative change is.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly warmer" when the temperature difference is significant or easily noticeable. Opt for terms like "considerably warmer" or "much warmer" to accurately reflect the magnitude of the change.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "slightly warmer" is to act as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by describing a state that is a little more warm compared to another state or reference point. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing temperature differences in air, water, and objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

29%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly warmer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase to indicate a small increase in temperature. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts. It is most commonly found in news, wiki and science sources and serves to convey a subtle difference in temperature without overstating the change. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a minor temperature difference and consider alternatives like ""a bit warmer"" or ""mildly warmer"" based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit warmer

Suggests a small and indefinite increase in temperature. It's more informal than "slightly warmer".

marginally warmer

Implies a minimal difference in temperature, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

somewhat warmer

Indicates a moderate increase in temperature, more noticeable than "slightly warmer".

mildly warmer

Suggests a gentle increase in temperature, often used to describe weather conditions.

incrementally warmer

Highlights a gradual and small increase in temperature over time.

barely warmer

Emphasizes that the temperature difference is almost imperceptible.

a touch warmer

Indicates a very subtle increase in temperature, often used informally.

noticeably warmer

Suggests that the increase in temperature is enough to be easily perceived.

moderately warmer

Indicates a more significant and obvious increase in temperature compared to "slightly warmer".

relatively warmer

Indicates that it is warmer compared to something else but does not specify the intensity of the temperature difference.

FAQs

What does "slightly warmer" mean?

The phrase "slightly warmer" means there's a small increase in temperature compared to a previous or standard condition. The term "slightly" indicates that the difference isn't large or extreme.

How can I use "slightly warmer" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly warmer" to describe various scenarios, such as: "The water was "a bit warmer" than I expected.", or "The climate is expected to become "marginally warmer" over the next decade."

What are some alternatives to "slightly warmer"?

Some alternatives to "slightly warmer" include: "a touch warmer", "somewhat warmer", or "mildly warmer". The best choice depends on the context and the degree of temperature difference you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "slightly warmer"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Slightly" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "warmer", forming a comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and common.