# Lau

/ˈɫaʊ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lau
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

describing water or food that is slightly warm, rather than hot or cold. It is a less common way to say lukewarm.

For teachers: moderately warm; tepid. Often used in culinary or historical contexts to describe liquids that are neither hot nor cold.

## Examples

- She washed her face with lau water.
- The recipe calls for lau milk to ensure the yeast activates without being killed by high heat.
- The bather preferred the lau temperature of the spring, finding the mild warmth more restorative than the intense heat of the main pool.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a synonym for 'lukewarm' or 'tepid'; typically appears before the noun it modifies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.