Meaning & use
lukewarm
Last updated
UK/ˌluːkˈwɔːm/
US/ˌluːkˈwɔːrm/
Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
Slightly warm, neither hot nor cold.
Grammar: Before a noun or after be: lukewarm water.
Patterns
- lukewarm water
The soup had gone lukewarm.
Rinse the dough in lukewarm water.
adjectivecomparablefigurativedisapproving
Showing little enthusiasm or interest.
Grammar: Often about reactions: a lukewarm reception.
Patterns
- lukewarm about something
- a lukewarm response
The audience gave a lukewarm response.
She was lukewarm about the idea.
Word forms
| comparative | more lukewarm |
|---|---|
| superlative | most lukewarm |
Common combinations
- lukewarm reception
- The plan got a lukewarm reception.
- lukewarm water
- Wash it in lukewarm water.
- lukewarm response
- The offer drew a lukewarm response.
- lukewarm about
- He is lukewarm about moving.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tepid
- Nearly the same, used both ways.
- half-hearted
- Only about effort or feeling.
- unenthusiastic
- Only about attitude.
Opposites
Word family
- lukewarmly adverb
- without enthusiasm
Commonly confused: lukewarm or lucrative?
lukewarm vs lucrative
Lucrative means profitable.
Practice
The audience gave the new show a ___ reception, with only polite applause.
Choose one answer.
A lukewarm reception means little enthusiasm. A glowing one would be very positive.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lukewarm”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.