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

• 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

Suitable for ice water only—not tap, not lukewarm, for god’s sake not lemonade—which are all too pedestrian for its craftsmanship. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025

Like the third lukewarm coffee of an afternoon — the taste is just there, just beyond reach. —Grace Byron, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025

Trump looks like Netanyahu blindsided him, Netanyahu is forced to apologize, and Qatar restores Israel to its lukewarm graces. —Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

October is typically a lukewarm month for the stock market. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 3 Oct. 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