tepid

1 of 2

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

tepidity

2 of 2

noun

te·​pid·​i·​ty tə̇ˈpidətē 

-dətē, 

-i

plural -es

: the quality or state of being tepid : lukewarmness

Synonyms of tepid

Adjective

• neutral
• lukewarm
• halfhearted
• unenthusiastic

Examples of tepid in a Sentence

Adjective

He gave a tepid performance.

My suggestion was given a tepid response.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Despite Wall Street’s tepid response, some analysts remain bullish on Netflix. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

For instance, already tepid economic growth has been slowing. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Government spending remains well above its peers in the politically sensitive realm of social protections, particularly pensions and healthcare, while tepid economic growth has failed to compensate. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Labor market shifts The US trucking industry is shaking off a nearly four-year downturn, a post-pandemic correction marked by tumbling freight rates, carrier bankruptcies, and a high-cost/tepid-volume operating environment. — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Noun

Late Latin tepiditat-, tepiditas, from Latin tepidus tepid + -itat-, -itas -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

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