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

But with the partisan exercise behind them, some senators are expressing tepid optimism about a path forward on a compromise. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025

Its consumer spending has remained tepid since the pandemic, partly as the ongoing real estate slump has weighed on household sentiment. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025

The export rebound and import disappointment come as factory activity has remained tepid throughout much of the year. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 8 Dec. 2025

This year, after a somewhat tepid start with two goals and seven points in the Capitals’ first 12 games, Ovechkin, in his last 15 games, had 10 goals and 20 points, tied for 11th most in the NHL in that time. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 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