having or showing little ardor, zeal, or enthusiasm; indifferent:
lukewarm applause.
Origin
1350-1400;Middle Englishlukewarme tepid, equivalent to luke tepid (unexplained alteration of lew,Old Englishgehlēow tepid) + warmewarm
Related forms
lukewarmly, adverb
lukewarmness, lukewarmth, noun
Synonyms
2. halfhearted, cool, apathetic.
Examples from the web for lukewarm
It also seems a bit unethical to write a lukewarm letter because a student wants to preserve their rights.
But in a lukewarm year for job growth, it's a sign that the economy is getting warmer.
She campaigned outside the party structure, with only lukewarm support from its grandees.
The reception is always lukewarm for those movies, so that's not new.
If a date was dull or lukewarm, the editors would juice the footage by running scenes out of order or out of context.
Place rice in a large bowl and fill with lukewarm water.
Wash your feet and toes every day with lukewarm water and mild soap.
Wash your feet every day with lukewarm water and mild soap.
Take lukewarm baths using little soap and rinse thoroughly.
Subsequent rebuilding schemes had lukewarm support and came to naught.
British Dictionary definitions for lukewarm
lukewarm
/ˌluːkˈwɔːm/
adjective
1.
(esp of water) moderately warm; tepid
2.
having or expressing little enthusiasm or conviction
Derived Forms
lukewarmly, adverb lukewarmness, noun
Word Origin
C14 luke probably from Old English hlēow warm; compare German lauwarm
Word Origin and History for lukewarm
adj.
late 14c., from luke + warm (adj.). Figurative sense of "lacking in zeal" (of persons or their actions) is from 1520s. Related: Lukewarmly; lukewarmness.