Meaning & use
lukewarm feelings
Last updated
Meanings
phrasepluralfigurative
weak or unenthusiastic emotions about someone or something; feelings that are not strongly positive or negative.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun phrase: lukewarm feelings are felt, shown, or have for someone.
Patterns
- lukewarm feelings about something
- lukewarm feelings toward someone
- have lukewarm feelings for someone
After the meeting, she had lukewarm feelings about the new plan.
His lukewarm feelings toward the project were clear from his silence.
phrasepluralfigurative
a lack of strong romantic interest or affection for someone.
Grammar: Often used in relationships: have lukewarm feelings for someone.
Patterns
- have lukewarm feelings for someone
- lukewarm feelings toward someone
He realized he had only lukewarm feelings for her.
Their lukewarm feelings for each other made the relationship difficult.
Common combinations
- lukewarm feelings about
- There were lukewarm feelings about the proposal among the staff.
- lukewarm feelings toward
- His lukewarm feelings toward the idea surprised no one.
- have lukewarm feelings for
- She admitted she had lukewarm feelings for him.
Synonyms and how they differ
- indifference
- Indifference means complete lack of interest, while lukewarm feelings suggest a slight but weak positive or negative emotion.
- ambivalence
- Ambivalence means having mixed or conflicting feelings, whereas lukewarm feelings are simply weak and unenthusiastic.
Opposites
Commonly confused: lukewarm feelings or lukewarm?
lukewarm feelings vs lukewarm
Lukewarm literally means slightly warm (as in water); in this phrase it is used figuratively for weak emotions.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'lukewarm feelings' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 correctly uses the phrase as a plural noun meaning weak emotions. The other options misuse it grammatically or confuse it with the literal sense of 'lukewarm'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lukewarm feelings”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.