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 of tepid

• 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

In fact, the Treasury Department has seen a string of weaker bond auctions lately with tepid demand forcing yields to go higher as inflation looks to run higher for longer. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 June 2026

But that effort is hampered by years of computing underinvestment, a tepid venture capital environment, and a late start in building domestic AI models, Bloomberg reported. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 3 June 2026

But development activity looked tepid last year, with North Miami Beach posting a rare negative number for the value of homes and buildings constructed in 2025. —Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026

Having lost their last five international matches, failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and changed coaches less than two months ago, Ghana enters the World Cup with tepid expectations. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026

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