Word
lukewarm
Phoneticsluke·warm, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫuˈkwɔɹm/
UK/lˈuːkwɔːm/
Definition
adj. only slightly warm, especially when you expect it to be hot. It can also describe a person who is not very excited or interested in an idea.
adj. moderately warm; tepid. Often describes a lack of enthusiasm or conviction regarding a proposal or person.
Examples
“I don't like drinking lukewarm coffee.”
“The audience gave the speaker a lukewarm reception, clapping politely but without any real energy.”
“Despite the marketing team's high expectations, the public response to the new product line was lukewarm, leading to an immediate review of the brand's strategy.”
Examples
simple
“I don't like drinking lukewarm coffee.”
contextual
“The audience gave the speaker a lukewarm reception, clapping politely but without any real energy.”
complex
“Despite the marketing team's high expectations, the public response to the new product line was lukewarm, leading to an immediate review of the brand's strategy.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'feel', or 'remain'.
Real-World Examples
“The water that comes back up is lukewarm.” Etymology
From Middle English leukwarm, lukewarm (“lukewarm, tepid”), equivalent to luke (“lukewarm”) + warm. Compare Saterland Frisian luukwoarm (“lukewarm”), German Low German luukwarm (“lukewarm”), German lauwarm (“lukewarm”). First element believed to be an alteration of Middle English lew (“tepid”) (> English dialectal lew), from Old English hlēow (“warm, sunny”), from Proto-Germanic hliwjaz, hlēwaz, hlūmaz, hleumaz (“warm”), from Proto-Indo-European ḱal(w)e-, ḱel(w)e-, *k(')lēw- (“warm, hot”). Cognate with Dutch lauw (“tepid”), German lau (“lukewarm”), Faroese lýggjur (“warm”), Swedish ljum (“lukewarm”), ljummen (“lukewarm”) and ly (“warm”), Danish lummer (“muggy”), Danish and Norwegian lunken (“tepid”), dialectal Swedish ljummen (“lukewarm”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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