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Glite Dictionary
to assume room temperature

to assume room temperature

8.2
To reach the same temperature as the room after being cold or hot
  • idiom
  • /əˈsum rum ˈtɛmpərtʃər/
translation icon : alcanzar la temperatura ambiente
  • Let the eggs assume room temperature before adding them to the batter.

Examples

  • If the butter is left out, it will assume room temperature within an hour.

  • The wine should assume room temperature for best flavor before serving.

  • The leftovers will assume room temperature if left out too long.

  • Please allow the meat to assume room temperature before cooking.

  • If the butter is left out, it will assume room temperature within an hour.

  • Let the eggs assume room temperature before adding them to the batter.

  • Please allow the meat to assume room temperature before cooking.

Antonyms

to heat up
84 1.0

To make something hot or warm

to cool down
28 1.1

Become less hot or make something less hot

How Warm

to heat
298 1.0
to warm
488 1.0
to assume room temperature
8.2
to cool
256 1.0
to chill
84 1.0
freeze
44 1.4

Surface Forms

assume room temperature infinitive
assumed room temperature past
assumed room temperature past participle
assuming room temperature present participle
assumes room temperature third person singular

Morphology

assume + room + temperature

The meaning is compositionally derived from 'assume' (to take on) plus 'room temperature' (the ambient temperature of a room): together they mean 'take on the temperature of the surrounding room'. This is a predictable, cross-linguistically common physical-state construction (though 'assume' can be slightly formal), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should be able to infer the meaning.

Etymology

Assume room temperature shows a simple image: a cold item is left in a warm room and slowly assumes the room's temperature. So, it means 'to reach the same temperature as the air around it'.