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
• tepidly adverb
• tepidness noun
• 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

He also said that the company’s product costs more than its animal protein equivalent, “a feature that is particularly detrimental in a prolonged environment of tepid consumer spending.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The fact that Tata Capital’s business model isn’t anything new could also explain the relatively tepid market response to the IPO, Bathini said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Inflation-adjusted median household income last year was at roughly the same level as in 2019, before the pandemic struck, following sharp declines after Covid’s onset and a tepid recovery since then.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Morgan Stanley analysts said that month that while the company’s forecast was encouraging, its shares traded at a discount to many of its peers, “reflecting a more tepid growth outlook.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

So on Friday morning the club sent out a tepid three-paragraph statement announcing a transfer everyone else knew was done.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dull 
• halfhearted 
• mild 
• unenthusiastic 
• warm