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

“Confidence among businesses and consumers remains tepid. The key question to close 2025 is whether economic uncertainty will continue to dampen hiring demand or confidence begins to lift with greater policy clarity,” Barnes added.

From The Wall Street Journal

Treasurys rallied, sending yields lower, after a raft of economic data sent tepid signals.

From The Wall Street Journal

Delayed U.S. employment data released overnight were tepid, highlighting the underwhelming state of the labor market there.

From The Wall Street Journal

Two out of three major U.S. stock indexes declined Tuesday after delayed employment data came in tepid, giving investors insight into the underwhelming state of the U.S. labor market.

From The Wall Street Journal

The tepid outlook "indicates that earnings will likely remain stagnant or decline slightly as the company digests the Metsera deal and ramps up R&D," Briefing.com said in its note.

From Barron's

Related Words

• dull
• halfhearted
• mild
• unenthusiastic
• warm