Words of Positivity
Browse the A to Z index4,633 ENTRIES

Warm-up

n.energetic, capableeveryday

What it means

A brief preparatory activity that readies the body, mind, or audience.

Reach for it when naming an opening exercise before the main effort or performance

The rehearsal began with a vocal warm-up that loosened every tense jaw.

Choose between these

5
  • playful

    opener

    when the first item sets a mood for what follows

    not when An opener may be a complete performance rather than preparation.

  • everyday

    limbering-up

    when physical mobility is the specific purpose

    not when Limbering-up does not fit a mental exercise or opening act.

  • professional

    preparation

    when all readiness work is being described broadly

    not when Preparation can take days and includes planning, equipment, and research.

  • professional

    rehearsal

    when practicing the actual performance is intended

    not when A rehearsal tests material and coordination; a warm-up simply gets participants ready.

  • formal

    primer

    when a short introduction supplies necessary basic knowledge

    not when Primer teaches foundations and is not usually an activity that raises readiness.

Said against

3
  • cool-down
  • finale
  • inactivity

It naturally appears in

3
  • quick warm-up

    A quick warm-up helped the panelists settle before the live discussion.

  • warm-up exercise

    The warm-up exercise asked each student to sketch the problem from memory.

  • proper warm-up

    A proper warm-up gradually raised the runners' effort instead of exhausting them.

Where this comes from

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.