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

Trump has already proven lukewarm on Ukrainian autonomy and called for Europe to manage its own affairs with respect to Russia. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 Jan. 2026

Gather a microfiber cloth and a bowl of lukewarm or room-temperature water. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026

The reviews were — well, not lukewarm. —Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 29 Dec. 2025

But that idea of a columbarium for burial urns received lukewarm support from his colleagues and residents who spoke at the recent council meeting. —Victoria Le, Oc Register, 24 Dec. 2025

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