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

Overall, Clune and his colleagues’ new study has received a lukewarm reception. —Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026

Make sure your water is lukewarm and not cold to ensure the cake rises effortlessly when baking. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026

Apple has faced a series of setbacks in the artificial intelligence race, with voice assistant Siri's upgrade getting delayed, top-level executive changes and a lukewarm debut for the initial rollout of its generative AI tools. —Juby Babu, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026

To prevent this, Stenson suggests shampooing and conditioning with lukewarm water as opposed to super hot, then ending with a cool rinse to seal your cuticle at the end. —Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 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