lukewarm

adjective

luke·​warm ˈlük-ˈwȯrm 

1

: moderately warm : tepid

a lukewarm bath

lukewarm coffee

2

: lacking conviction : half-hearted

gave them only lukewarm support

a lukewarm review

lukewarm applause

lukewarmly adverb

lukewarmness noun

Synonyms

• heated
• hottish
• tepid
• toasty
• warm
• warmed
• warmish

Examples of lukewarm in a Sentence

I hate drinking lukewarm coffee.

Our plan got a lukewarm reception.

The producer was lukewarm about her script.

Recent Examples on the Web

Spills can be spot cleaned with a clean cloth and a solution of lukewarm water and mild detergent. —Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 21 Mar. 2025

Meghan Markle served hot single-skillet spaghetti in her Netflix series, but the ratings were lukewarm. —Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025

Her skin is always slightly feverish, unlike his own, which feels lukewarm to him, only half alive. —Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025

Yet despite everything going in and out of the oven, the reviews for With Love, Meghan have been lukewarm. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from luke lukewarm + warm; probably akin to Old High German lāo lukewarm — more at lee

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lukewarm

• chloroform
• coliform
• cribriform
• cruciform
• filiform
• fusiform
• isoform
• microform
• multiform
• multiforme
• outperform
• piriform

Kids Definition

lukewarm

adjective

luke·​warm ˈlü-ˈkwȯ(ə)rm 

1

: mildly warm : tepid

a lukewarm bath

2

: not enthusiastic : indifferent

our plan got a lukewarm reception

lukewarmly adverb

lukewarmness noun