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 Philadelphia Art Museum has hired a new director and CEO, weeks after the former one was ousted following a lukewarm reception to a massive rebrand campaign. —Joe Brandt, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025

Fill a sink or plastic tub with lukewarm water and add a few drops of dish soap. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2025

Reviews have been lukewarm, though audiences are kinder with a B+ grade from CinemaScore. —J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 15 Nov. 2025

Heats 4 oz in just 3 minutes with auto shut-off, so parents aren’t left pacing with a crying baby while waiting for lukewarm formula. —Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Nov. 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