lukewarm

adjective

luke·​warm ˈlük-ˈwȯrm 

1

: moderately warm : tepid

a lukewarm bath

lukewarm coffee

2

: lacking conviction : half-hearted

gave them only lukewarm support

a lukewarm review

lukewarm applause

lukewarmly adverb

lukewarmness noun

Synonyms of lukewarm

• warm
• warmed
• heated
• tepid
• boiling

Examples of lukewarm in a Sentence

I hate drinking lukewarm coffee.

Our plan got a lukewarm reception.

The producer was lukewarm about her script.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a large bowl, combine the lukewarm water and sugar and stir to dissolve the sugar. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

Stevens is still maintaining her somewhat lukewarm support for El-Sayed. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2026

In the middle of a lukewarm Massachusetts morning, Leonard Miller stood alone, toeing the 3-point arc in the corner of the court at TD Garden. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Jiang Defu, the company’s chief operating officer, acknowledged the film’s lukewarm reception in an interview with Chinese film outlet Yuli. — Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from luke lukewarm + warm; probably akin to Old High German lāo lukewarm — more at lee

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lukewarm

• chloroform
• coliform
• cribriform
• cruciform
• filiform
• fusiform
• isoform
• microform
• multiform
• outperform
• piriform
• plexiform

Kids Definition

lukewarm

adjective

luke·​warm ˈlü-ˈkwȯ(ə)rm 

1

: mildly warm : tepid

a lukewarm bath

2

: not enthusiastic : indifferent

our plan got a lukewarm reception

lukewarmly adverb

lukewarmness noun