halfhearted

[haf-hahr-tid, hahf-]

adjective

1. having or showing little enthusiasm.

   a halfhearted attempt to work.

   Synonyms: perfunctory, cool, cold, uninterested, indifferent
   Antonyms: enthusiastic

Other Word Forms

• halfheartedly adverb
• halfheartedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of halfhearted¹

First recorded in 1605–15; half + heart + -ed ³

Example Sentences

Her husband’s halfhearted clapping echoed in the otherwise silent room; after a moment he stopped and sat on his hands in shame.

Read more on Literature

“Would anyone like to be quizzed on Latin verbs?” she asked halfheartedly.

Read more on Literature

Ron’s participation is a bit halfhearted, though, since his daughter has recently fled her abusive and vengeful husband.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Let your relative choose the latest halfhearted Hallmark movie clone?

Read more on Salon

But the filmmakers only halfheartedly commit to exploring these emotions, reducing her feelings to a plot twist inserted to supply a bit of conflict.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lackluster 
• listless 
• lukewarm 
• perfunctory 
• tepid