lukewarm
Neither hot nor cold
Lukewarm describes something mildly warm—neither hot nor cold.
Lukewarm water is tepid, around body temperature.
The figurative sense dominates: a lukewarm response shows little enthusiasm, a lukewarm reception is unenthusiastic but not hostile.
The proposal received a lukewarm reception from investors.
The word suggests disappointment—you expected heat and got indifference.
Lacking sincere commitment
- unenthusiasticWithout eagerness or passion
- tepidMildly warm, lacking intensity
- lacklusterLacking brilliance or vitality
- mutedMade quieter or softer
subdued · perfunctory · faint · weak · measured · qualified · restrained · mild
Not bound to anything
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- hesitantSlow to act
- irresoluteLacking firmness of purpose
- wishy-washyLacking firmness or decisiveness
fence-sitting · noncommittal · half-hearted · undecided · vacillating · tepid · cautious · equivocal
Mildly warm, lacking intensity
- warmishSomewhat elevated in temperature
- room-temperatureStandard indoor conditions
- temperateMild, avoiding extremes
- ambientOf the surroundings
Lacking interest or concern
- unenthusedWithout eagerness or interest
- unimpressedFailing to find remarkable
- underwhelmedFeeling letdown by something
- unmovedNot stirred physically/emotionally
cool · mixed · mediocre · so-so · noncommittal · reserved · polite · meh
halfhearted
Lacking sincere commitment
- unenthusiasticWithout eagerness or passion
- tepidMildly warm, lacking intensity
- lacklusterLacking brilliance or vitality
muted · subdued · perfunctory · faint · weak · measured · qualified · restrained · mild · feeble
uncommitted
Not bound to anything
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- hesitantSlow to act
- irresoluteLacking firmness of purpose
wishy-washy · fence-sitting · noncommittal · half-hearted · undecided · vacillating · tepid · cautious · equivocal
tepid
Mildly warm, lacking intensity
- warmishSomewhat elevated in temperature
- room-temperatureStandard indoor conditions
- temperateMild, avoiding extremes
ambient · cooled · bathwater · unchilled · unheated · moderate
indifferent
Lacking interest or concern
- unenthusedWithout eagerness or interest
- unimpressedFailing to find remarkable
- underwhelmedFeeling letdown by something
unmoved · cool · mixed · mediocre · so-so · noncommittal · reserved · polite · meh · middling
lukewarmboiling
Liquid vaporization temperature
freezing · ice-cold · scalding · piping hot · icy
lukewarmenthusiastic
Showing intense eager enjoyment
fervent · passionate · ardent · wholehearted · zealous
- lukewarm waterMildly heated H2O
- lukewarm bathModerately warm immersion