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

Recent tepid consumer spending numbers have raised the specter of lackluster economic growth and higher inflation. —Saqib Iqbal Ahmed, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025

Over a decade, that volatility can produce dramatic gains or remain tepid, shifting the real yield anywhere from negligible to stellar. —Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

After giving a quick and tepid hug to guest host Mikey Madison, Wallen conspicuously bolted from the front of the stage and walked past the camera. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2025

But the university’s statement incited fierce criticism from defenders of academic freedom while getting only a tepid nod from the Trump Administration. —Michael S. Roth, Time, 28 Mar. 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