lukewarm

/ˌluːkˈwɔːm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌluːkˈwɔːrm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlük-ˈwȯrm/ (ame, mw)

lukewarm — adjective

  • lukewarmpositive
  • more lukewarmcomparative
  • most lukewarmsuperlative

1. describing a liquid, especially water, tea, or coffee, that is between cold and

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a liquid, especially water, tea, or coffee, that is between cold and hot — warm enough to drink without burning your mouth but not pleasant if you wanted it hot.

例句

Mauricio took a sip of his lukewarm coffee and pushed the mug away.

predicative-style: lukewarm + drink noun

The bath water had gone lukewarm by the time Yara stepped in.

collocation: water goes/turns lukewarm

同義詞
  • tepid

    near-identical meaning; slightly more formal and bookish than 'lukewarm'.

  • warmish

    informal; suggests warmer than lukewarm but still not hot.

反義詞

用法筆記

Frequently modifies drinkable liquids (water, tea, coffee, milk, soup) and bath water; rarely used of solid objects or air temperature.

常見錯誤

❌The day was lukewarm.
✅The day was mild.
💡'lukewarm' is used of liquids, not weather or air.

2. showing very little excitement, support, or interest in something — polite enoug

2.形容詞B2
釋義

showing very little excitement, support, or interest in something — polite enough not to reject it, but clearly not eager either.

例句

The new policy got a lukewarm response from teachers across the district.

collocation: lukewarm response / reception

Niran was lukewarm about joining the weekend hiking trip.

pattern: lukewarm about + -ing

同義詞
  • half-hearted

    slightly stronger; implies the effort or feeling lacks commitment.

  • tepid

    very close in meaning; common in 'tepid response/reviews'.

  • indifferent

    fully neutral — neither for nor against; lukewarm leans slightly negative.

反義詞
  • enthusiastic

    showing strong excitement and support.

  • rapturous

    extremely enthusiastic; usually of applause or praise.

文法句型

lukewarm about + noun/-ing

lukewarm response/reception

用法筆記

Often used with abstract reaction nouns (response, reception, support, reviews, applause), or with the pattern 'be lukewarm about + noun/-ing'. Distinct from sense 1: this is figurative — temperature has nothing to do with it.

常見錯誤

❌He is lukewarm with the idea.
✅He is lukewarm about the idea.
💡the standard preposition is 'about', not 'with'.