lukewarm

[ look-wawrm ]

adjective

1. moderately warm; tepid.
2. having or showing little ardor, zeal, or enthusiasm; indifferent:

   lukewarm applause.

   Synonyms: apathetic, cool, halfhearted

lukewarm

/ ˌluːkˈwɔːm /

adjective

1. (esp of water) moderately warm; tepid
2. having or expressing little enthusiasm or conviction

Derived Forms

• ˌlukeˈwarmly, adverb
• ˌlukeˈwarmness, noun

Other Words From

• lukewarmly adverb
• lukewarmness lukewarmth noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lukewarm¹

1350–1400; Middle English lukewarme tepid, equivalent to luke tepid (unexplained alteration of lew, Old English gehlēow tepid) + warme warm

Word History and Origins

Origin of lukewarm¹

C14 luke probably from Old English hlēow warm; compare German lauwarm

Example Sentences

The atmosphere at the Coliseum on Saturday was lukewarm at best, a hollow homecoming, loads of great Nebraska fans often making more noise than their Trojans seatmates.

From Los Angeles Times

There is speculation that Scholz is planning to also talk to the Chinese president Xi Jinping, a lukewarm supporter of Russia, about the war in Ukraine at the G20 next week in Rio de Janeiro.

From BBC

Yusely nodded at the yucca chips frying slowly in a pot of lukewarm oil.

From BBC

As a whole, the film has received broadly positive review from critics at the festivals it has played so far, although some were more lukewarm in their response.

From BBC

Asmara had been an ally of the Ethiopian government in that conflict but has been lukewarm about the accord that ended the fighting in November 2022.

From BBC

Related Words

• apathetic
• chilly
• halfhearted
• hesitant
• indecisive
• tepid
• uncertain
• uncommitted