lukewarm

adjective

luke·​warm ˈlük-ˈwȯrm How to pronounce lukewarm (audio)
Synonyms of lukewarm
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 of lukewarm

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Both titles arrived in 2024 with easy-to-read monsters that nevertheless got lukewarm receptions — but their box office performances tell us slightly different stories. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026 Beat egg white mixture until thick and glossy and mixture is barely lukewarm, 8–10 minutes. — Tanya Bush, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026 This report follows lukewarm reactions to Last Days in Two Nations. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026 The apology was met with a lukewarm reaction from a public that had watched the rapper’s troubling antics and hateful statements for years. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lukewarm

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of lukewarm was in the 14th century

Rhymes for lukewarm

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Browse Nearby Words

Luke
lukewarm
lukewarmish
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Cite this Entry

“Lukewarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lukewarm. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lukewarm

adjective
luke·​warm ˈlü-ˈkwȯ(ə)rm How to pronounce lukewarm (audio)
1
: mildly warm : tepid
a lukewarm bath
2
: not enthusiastic : indifferent
our plan got a lukewarm reception
lukewarmly adverb
lukewarmness noun
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