lukewarm
Americanadjective
-
moderately warm; tepid.
-
having or showing little ardor, zeal, or enthusiasm; indifferent.
lukewarm applause.
- Synonyms:
- apathetic, cool, halfhearted
adjective
-
(esp of water) moderately warm; tepid
-
having or expressing little enthusiasm or conviction
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.
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
I smile back and gulp the lukewarm water eagerly.
From Literature
Italy and Germany last month offered lukewarm support for the "Made in Europe" idea, cautioning against going too far.
From Barron's
The low margins may be a reason why Wall Street remains lukewarm about LegalZoom’s prospects.
From Barron's
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.
