Lukewarm Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms lukewarm American [look-wawrm] / ˈlukˈwɔrm /

adjective

1. moderately warm; tepid.

2. having or showing little ardor, zeal, or enthusiasm; indifferent.

   lukewarm applause.

   Synonyms: apathetic, cool, halfhearted

lukewarm British / ˌluːkˈwɔːm /

adjective

1. (esp of water) moderately warm; tepid

2. having or expressing little enthusiasm or conviction

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• lukewarmly adverb
• lukewarmness noun
• lukewarmth noun

Etymology

Origin of lukewarm

1350–1400; Middle English lukewarme tepid, equivalent to luke tepid (unexplained alteration of lew, Old English gehlēow tepid) + warme warm

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

How to Make a Killing had a lukewarm critical reaction but "really seems to be finding its feet with audiences," Henwick says, "whereas Vladimir really seems to be finding its feet with critics".

From BBC

Until job creation spreads well beyond healthcare, it would be hard to characterize the labor market as anything but lukewarm.

From MarketWatch

The strategy, which received a lukewarm reception from investors, weighed on its stock price on the day.

From The Wall Street Journal

The queso started fine but eventually congealed into something that approximated lukewarm paste.

From Los Angeles Times

Although Kennedy has stated that parents should have their children vaccinated against measles, his endorsement has been lukewarm and often accompanied by advice about alternatives to vaccination or treatment.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apathetic
• chilly
• halfhearted
• hesitant
• indecisive
• tepid
• uncertain
• uncommitted

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.