lukewarm
2 synonyms and 2 antonyms for lukewarm, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Only slightly warm; neither hot nor cold.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Only slightly warm; neither hot nor cold.
“The soup arrived lukewarm, which was disappointing.”
2. adjective
Showing little enthusiasm or interest.
“The board gave a lukewarm response to the new proposal.”
Opposites
How to use lukewarm
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
lukewarm water
lukewarm reception
lukewarm response
Etymology
From Middle English lukewarm, combining an old word for "tepid" with warm. Related forms turn up across Germanic languages, including German lauwarm and Dutch lauw.
Full origin of lukewarm →Frequently asked questions
What does “lukewarm” mean?
The word “lukewarm” means only slightly warm; neither hot nor cold. In plain terms, mildly warm in temperature, or mildly interested in something — both senses carry a sense of "not enough.".
How do you pronounce “lukewarm”?
“Lukewarm” is pronounced look-WAWM (/ˌlukˈwɔɹm/ in IPA).
How do you use “lukewarm” in a sentence?
Here is “lukewarm” used in a sentence: “The soup arrived lukewarm, which was disappointing.”
What part of speech is “lukewarm”?
“Lukewarm” is an adjective.
Where does the word “lukewarm” come from?
The word “lukewarm” comes from Middle English. From Middle English lukewarm, combining an old word for "tepid" with warm. Related forms turn up across Germanic languages, including German lauwarm and Dutch lauw.
How many meanings does “lukewarm” have?
“Lukewarm” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: only slightly warm; neither hot nor cold.
