tepid

adjective

tep·​id ˈte-pəd 

1

: moderately warm : lukewarm

a tepid bath

2

a

: lacking in passion, force, or zest

tepid poetry

b

: marked by an absence of enthusiasm or conviction

a tepid interest

a tepid response

tepidity

tə-ˈpi-də-tē 

te-

noun

tepidly

ˈte-pəd-lē 

adverb

tepidness noun

Synonyms

• neutral
• lukewarm
• halfhearted
• unenthusiastic

Examples of tepid in a Sentence

He gave a tepid performance.

My suggestion was given a tepid response.

Recent Examples on the Web

While acknowledging the tepid numbers, some analysts previously told ABC News that warnings about a recession are premature. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025

Burberry’s readmission to the FTSE 100 is another sign that Schulman’s turnaround plan is working, despite the ongoing slowdown in the wider luxury sector, and tepid demand from Chinese consumers. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025

The latest data tees up an August jobs report that, when released Friday morning, is expected to show another month of tepid job gains. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025

But so far, the response from the state’s GOP leaders has been tepid. —Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English teped, from Latin tepidus, from tepēre to be moderately warm; akin to Sanskrit tapati it heats, Old Irish tess heat

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tepid

• intrepid

Kids Definition

tepid

adjective

tep·​id ˈtep-əd 

1

: lukewarm

a tepid bath

2

: lacking enthusiasm or conviction : halfhearted

a tepid response