tepid

adjective

tep·​id ˈte-pəd 

1

: moderately warm : lukewarm

a tepid bath

2

a

: lacking in passion, force, or zest

tepid poetry

b

: marked by an absence of enthusiasm or conviction

a tepid interest

a tepid response

tepidity

tə-ˈpi-də-tē 

te-

noun

tepidly

ˈte-pəd-lē 

adverb

tepidness noun

Synonyms

• halfhearted
• lukewarm
• uneager
• unenthusiastic

Examples of tepid in a Sentence

He gave a tepid performance.

My suggestion was given a tepid response.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, amid the breathtaking landscape, there's also the reality of tepid Montana temperatures in the winter that many visitors have had to contend with. —Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

Alas, the best the Broncos could manage against the Colts was a lukewarm pinkie (Jaleel McLaughlin’s 21 rushing yards), a tepid thumb (Javonte Williams’ 15 rush yards) and a middle finger in the face of a golden opportunity. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 18 Dec. 2024

This weakness continued in Obama’s tepid response to the 2014 invasion of Ukraine. —Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024

Uninspired gameplay, derivative characters and plenty other factors went into the tepid response from the gaming community. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English teped, from Latin tepidus, from tepēre to be moderately warm; akin to Sanskrit tapati it heats, Old Irish tess heat

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tepid

adjective

tep·​id ˈtep-əd 

1

: lukewarm

a tepid bath

2

: lacking enthusiasm or conviction : halfhearted

a tepid response