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

Their tepid offseason on the heels of a surprising postseason appearance failed to set up the roster for a repeat performance. —Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

While acknowledging the tepid numbers, other analysts said warnings about a recession are premature. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2025

As a result, even a tepid uptick in hiring will barely move the needle on the jobless rate. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2025

Some city officials have said the store itself is responsible for its own tepid enforcement. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 22 July 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