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

• halfhearted
• lukewarm
• uneager
• unenthusiastic

Examples of tepid in a Sentence

He gave a tepid performance.

My suggestion was given a tepid response.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, this modest outperformance remains tepid for a technology company operating in what was previously considered a high-growth sector. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

The United Steelworkers union signaled only tepid endorsement for the measure in a statement after its Canadian chapter rebuked Trump’s announcement. —Rob Wile, NBC news, 4 June 2025

Just over a month ago, anytime the Saline County Sheriff's Department would make a post on its Facebook page seeking the public's help in identifying or finding the fugitives attached to those warrants, the response was ... tepid, at best. —Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025

Taken together, there was both cause for tepid optimism as well as concern following the meeting. —Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 11 May 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