tepid

[tep-id]

adjective

1. moderately warm; lukewarm.

   tepid water.

   Synonyms: mild, moderate

2. characterized by a lack of force or enthusiasm.

   tepid prose;

   the critics' tepid reception for the new play.

   Synonyms: apathetic, halfhearted, unemotional

tepid

/ ˈtɛpɪd /

adjective

1. slightly warm; lukewarm

2. relatively unenthusiastic or apathetic

   the play had a tepid reception

Other Word Forms

• tepidity noun
• tepidness noun
• tepidly adverb
• subtepid adjective
• subtepidly adverb
• subtepidness noun
• subtepidity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tepid¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin tepidus “lukewarm,” from tep(ēre) “to be lukewarm” + -idus -id ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of tepid¹

C14: from Latin tepidus, from tepēre to be lukewarm

Example Sentences

Neither is her tepid response to his gift of a sweet-potato casserole.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The retailer has had a brutal 2025, with shares falling 56% through Monday’s close due in part to tepid discretionary spending and headwinds from tariffs.

Read more on Barron's

The amount of unsold goods they have on hand also rose to the highest level in the 18-year history of the survey, another sign of tepid demand.

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In a tepid housing market, the brokerage has been focused on growing its number of agents and technology offerings.

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A tepid energy market and a vast set of commitments to local projects have left the world’s biggest oil exporter with finances more strained than in years—with less ability to splash money abroad.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dull 
• halfhearted 
• mild 
• unenthusiastic 
• warm