tepid

American  

[tep-id] / ˈtɛp ɪd /

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

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tepid British  

/ ˈtɛpɪd /

adjective

1. slightly warm; lukewarm

2. relatively unenthusiastic or apathetic

   the play had a tepid reception

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of tepid

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

Example Sentences

This would weigh on households and businesses -- with energy-hungry manufacturers set to be especially hard hit -- and could dent the region's already tepid growth.

From Barron's

Recent data — accounting for the period prior to the start of the military conflict in Iran — indicated inflation in Canada was tepid.

From The Wall Street Journal

Cracks in the labor market and a pullback in government funding for a consumer trade-in program suggest that willingness to spend will remain tepid.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sales at retailers declined in January, the Commerce Department said, extending a tepid trend for U.S. shopping since late last year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Oil majors—some of which have operations in the Middle East—have seen only tepid gains, or none at all.

From Barron's

Related Words

• dull
• halfhearted
• mild
• unenthusiastic
• warm