lukewarm

[look-wawrm]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lukewarm ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

moderately warm; tepid.

having or showing little ardor, zeal, or enthusiasm; indifferent: lukewarm applause.

Nearby words

Origin of lukewarm

1350–1400; Middle English lukewarme tepid, equivalent to luke tepid (unexplained alteration of lew, Old English gehlēow tepid) + warme warm

SYNONYMS FOR lukewarm

2. halfhearted, cool, apathetic.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lukewarm ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsluke·warm·ly, adverbluke·warm·ness, luke·warmth, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lukewarm

There are reasons why New Jersey is lukewarm about its own Sen. Cory Booker—even while the rest of the country swoons.
The Ugly Truth About Cory Booker, New Jersey’s Golden Boy|Olivia Nuzzi|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My current lukewarm affection for lagers no longer stems from a lack of exposure.
Wine Snobs, There’s a Beer for You|Jordan Salcito|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even members of the Muslim Brotherhood are lukewarm on the aid cuts.
General Al-Sisi’s Popularity Soars After U.S. Aid Cut-off To Egypt|Sophia Jones|October 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The movie was a hit in the U.K., though the American response was lukewarm.
‘Mad Men’ Premiere: A History of ‘Zou Bisou Bisou,’ Megan’s Sultry Song to Don|Lauren Streib|March 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Jesse Singal wonders why the movement is so lukewarm to the likely GOP nominee.
The Tea Party Should Adore Mitt Romney, So Why the Cold Feet?|Jesse Singal|March 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And the cold milk was not cold; it was lukewarm, unpleasantly lukewarm.
In Midsummer Days and Other Tales|August Strindberg
When the milk and water are lukewarm add the yeast cake and salt.
Mary at the Farm and Book of Recipes Compiled during Her Visit among the "Pennsylvania Germans"|Edith M. Thomas
Flood with lukewarm water at least four or five times each day during the sprouting period.
Let's Use Soybeans|Anonymous
This wine is made by filling a large pot with the lake water, and making it lukewarm.
The Station; The Party Fight And Funeral; The Lough Derg Pilgrim|William Carleton
To screw these lukewarm partisans up to the fighting-point, the insurgents destroy their villages and burn the sugar-came.
The Story of the Malakand Field Force|Sir Winston S. Churchill

British Dictionary definitions for lukewarm

lukewarm

adjective

(esp of water) moderately warm; tepid

having or expressing little enthusiasm or conviction

Derived Formslukewarmly, adverblukewarmness, noun

Word Origin for lukewarm

C14 luke probably from Old English hlēow warm; compare German lauwarm

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for lukewarm

lukewarm

adj.

late 14c., from luke + warm (adj.). Figurative sense of "lacking in zeal" (of persons or their actions) is from 1520s. Related: Lukewarmly; lukewarmness.