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 fact, ayurvedic medicine has its own parallel in the form of the ritual usha paana, which involves drinking lukewarm or room-temp water on an empty stomach in the early hours. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 5 Feb. 2026

Mix a small amount of castile soap with lukewarm water. —Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026

Warming up meals in a toaster oven likewise results in uneven heating, with the top portion getting dried or burnt and the middle part ending up lukewarm if the element is located on the top – the reverse is true if the element is on the bottom. —New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2026

Although Hornsby was the Rangers leading tackler the last two years, his recruiting was lukewarm, at best, until the middle of the 2025 season. —David Hinojosa, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 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
• multiforme
• outperform
• piriform

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