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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
I hate drinking lukewarm coffee. Our plan got a lukewarm reception. The producer was lukewarm about her script.
Recent Examples on the Web Most people agree there is no place for lukewarm coffee. 
Sarah Wharton, Good Housekeeping, 16 Sep. 2022 Other economic data this week showed the U.S. economy appears to be running lukewarm. Sarah Chaney Cambon, WSJ, 16 Sep. 2022 Now Fitzpatrick, who is doing broadcast work on Amazon’s Thursday night NFL package, offers a lukewarm-at-best critical breakdown of him, and Payton flatly says he’ll be replaced. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Pour in lukewarm duck fat, completely submerging all but the tip of the bone. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 After a lukewarm 11-game Week 0 slate, college football kicks off in full force this weekend with a robust set of games, many of which feature compelling matchups. Xl Media, cleveland, 3 Sep. 2022 Interest in earlier booster shots proved lukewarm, at best. Lena H. Sun, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Sep. 2022 Elvis Costello ran hot, cold, and lukewarm at his almost maddeningly uneven San Diego concert Wednesday night at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 Automakers have taken different positions on the mandate, ranging from enthusiastic to lukewarm to outright opposition. Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 See More
Sarah Wharton, Good Housekeeping, 16 Sep. 2022 Other economic data this week showed the U.S. economy appears to be running lukewarm. Sarah Chaney Cambon, WSJ, 16 Sep. 2022 Now Fitzpatrick, who is doing broadcast work on Amazon’s Thursday night NFL package, offers a lukewarm-at-best critical breakdown of him, and Payton flatly says he’ll be replaced. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Pour in lukewarm duck fat, completely submerging all but the tip of the bone. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 After a lukewarm 11-game Week 0 slate, college football kicks off in full force this weekend with a robust set of games, many of which feature compelling matchups. Xl Media, cleveland, 3 Sep. 2022 Interest in earlier booster shots proved lukewarm, at best. Lena H. Sun, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Sep. 2022 Elvis Costello ran hot, cold, and lukewarm at his almost maddeningly uneven San Diego concert Wednesday night at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 Automakers have taken different positions on the mandate, ranging from enthusiastic to lukewarm to outright opposition. Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
lukewarm
adjective
luke·warm ˈlük-ˈwȯrm
1
: slightly warm
lukewarm water
2
: not very interested or eager
We got a lukewarm response.
lukewarmly
adverb
as in perfunctorily
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- perfunctorily
- indifferently
- apathetically
- reluctantly
- hesitantly
- disinterestedly
- unwillingly
- impassively
- aloofly
- incuriously
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- enthusiastically
- eagerly
- warmly
- excitedly
- madly
- avidly
- keenly
- exuberantly
- rhapsodically
- impatiently
- fanatically
- rabidly
- zealously
- sky-high