balm

IPA/bɑːm/
KK[bˈɑm]IPA/bɑːm/

balm — noun

  • balmsingular
  • balmsplural

1. a smooth, thick substance made from plant oils that is used to help skin injurie

1.名詞B2
釋義

a smooth, thick substance made from plant oils that is used to help skin injuries heal or to reduce pain

例句

Mrs. Chen rubbed a herbal balm on her sore knee every night.

collocation: rub + balm on + [body part]

The nurse applied a cooling balm to the hiker's sunburned shoulders.

同義詞
  • ointment

    a medical cream for the skin; more commonly used for wounds and infections

  • salve

    an older word for a healing ointment; now sounds somewhat old-fashioned or poetic

  • cream

    a lighter-textured skin product; not necessarily plant-based or medicinal

反義詞
  • irritant

    something that causes soreness or discomfort, the opposite of soothing

文法句型

balm + for + [body part]

apply/rub + balm

用法筆記

Often used in compounds such as lip balm or as a countable noun (a balm) when referring to a specific product or type.

常見錯誤

❌I put some balm on my cut.
✅I put some ointment on my cut.
💡For minor cuts with broken skin, 'ointment' or 'cream' is more common than 'balm', which typically refers to thicker, oil-based products used on unbroken skin.

2. a thing or experience that brings you a feeling of calmness or emotional relief

2.名詞B2
釋義

a thing or experience that brings you a feeling of calmness or emotional relief when you are sad, upset, or stressed

例句

The gentle music was a balm to Kenji after a long day at work.

pattern: a balm to + [person]

Fatima found that gardening was the best balm for her worried mind.

pattern: a balm for + [abstract noun]

同義詞
  • solace

    a deeper, more formal word for comfort during grief or trouble

  • comfort

    a more common, everyday word; broader in meaning and less poetic

  • relief

    focuses on the removal of pain or worry rather than the soothing feeling itself

反義詞
  • irritation

    something that causes annoyance or stress

  • distress

    a state of strong worry or unhappiness

文法句型

a balm to + [someone]

a balm for + [something]

用法筆記

This sense is almost always used in the singular and is followed by 'to' or 'for'. The subject is a thing or experience, not a person. Common in literary and formal contexts rather than everyday speech.