adjective
lukewarm
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adjective
1
Only slightly warm; neither hot nor cold.
"The soup arrived lukewarm, which was disappointing."
2
Showing little enthusiasm or interest.
"The board gave a lukewarm response to the new proposal."
How to Use Lukewarm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMildly warm in temperature, or mildly interested in something — both senses carry a sense of "not enough."
Common pairings
lukewarm water
lukewarm reception
lukewarm response
Word Forms
lukewarmer comparative, more lukewarm comparative, lukewarmest superlative, most lukewarm superlative
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The soup arrived _____, which was disappointing.
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.