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

The response was noticeably lukewarm, and Christian quickly dropped the effort. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Don’t turn one lukewarm response into a referendum on your talent. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

The proposal came as Brussels and Ottawa seek to deepen ties, signaling a significant shift in the EU, which had been lukewarm to Germany's proposal in May for granting an associate membership to Ukraine. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Keep showers lukewarm, not hot, and treat daily SPF as barrier maintenance, not just cancer prevention. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 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