tepid

USAGE SUMMARY

'tepid' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is lukewarm or not enthusiastic. For example: The response to the new play was tepid, with only a few people attending the opening night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meanwhile, a numb Indian team, who had played so flawlessly en route to the final, could only look on at ecstatic celebrations and regret their remarkably tepid performance.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not hard to see why both struck a chord: a tepid global economy, high unemployment, stagnant living standards and trickle up to those at the top have created an environment of sullen unease.

The Guardian - Business

Sure, this has been a tepid recovery in the US and a non-existent recovery in Europe, but the outcome would almost certainly have been a lot worse had central banks not augmented ultra-low interest rates with their money creation programmes.

The Guardian - Business

But at least with his music acts he could point to their unit-shifting popularity; Pudsey has turned out to be one big dogbowl of tepid water.

The Guardian - Film

Fifa's sponsors, typically tepid in their criticism to date despite a long history of scandal, also sought to ramp up the pressure in the face of the public outcry.

The Guardian - Sport

Applause, when it came, was sparse and tepid.

The Guardian

Netanyahu's comments reinforced his hardening message of recent days and confirmed his final abandonment of his at best tepid commitment to a two-state solution designed to see the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

The Guardian

There is little to be had: silence from the Arabs, tepid backing from the EU and nothing from the Americans, amid signs that they, like Mr Sharon, have written him off.

The Economist

Despite industry backing for several subscription-based online music services, such as Rhapsody, pressplay and MusicNet, response has been tepid.

The Economist

Moreover, the political aftermath of the hurricane may dampen lawmakers' already tepid enthusiasm for budget-cutting.

The Economist

When Conservative ministers offered tepid support, Mr Hester buckled and gave up the bonus.In a BBC interview on February 8th, Mr Hester mounted a valiant defence of high pay in his bank and elsewhere.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "tepid" to describe situations requiring strong, decisive action. Instead, opt for words that convey urgency or intensity.

Common error

Don't assume "tepid" always implies negativity. It simply means 'lukewarm' or 'lacking enthusiasm', which can be neutral depending on the context. Use stronger negative adjectives if you mean to criticize.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "tepid" primarily functions to qualify a noun, indicating a state that is neither strongly positive nor negative. It can describe physical temperature, as in "tepid water", or the intensity of emotions or responses, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tepid" is a versatile adjective signifying a state of mildness or a lack of intensity, whether referring to temperature or emotion. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically sound and usable, with common application in news, business, and formal writing. While "tepid" is generally considered neutral, it's crucial to ensure the term aligns with the intended meaning and sentiment of the context. Alternatives like "lukewarm", "halfhearted", and "unenthusiastic" can provide nuance, but it's important to remember that "tepid" is commonly associated with something 'not very energetic', and not very commited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lukewarm

Synonym for "tepid", indicating a similar lack of intensity or enthusiasm.

without enthusiasm

More descriptive phrase for "tepid", specifically related to a lack of excitement.

halfhearted

Describes a lack of commitment or enthusiasm, similar to "tepid".

unenthusiastic

Directly expresses a lack of enthusiasm, mirroring one meaning of "tepid".

mild

Indicates a lack of intensity, similar to "tepid" in some contexts.

not very energetic

Implies a lack of vigor or force, related to the weaker aspect of something described as "tepid".

lackluster

Suggests a lack of vibrancy or excitement, akin to a "tepid" performance.

indifferent

Indicates a lack of interest or concern, similar to the 'uninterested' sense of "tepid".

apathetic

Expresses a lack of feeling or emotion, reflecting a stronger sense of disinterest than "tepid".

so-so

Informal term indicating mediocrity, related to the lack of excellence implied by "tepid".

FAQs

How can I use "tepid" in a sentence?

You can use "tepid" to describe something that is lukewarm in temperature, like "tepid water". It can also describe a lack of enthusiasm or interest, as in "a tepid response".

What's the difference between "tepid" and "lukewarm"?

"Tepid" and "lukewarm" are often used interchangeably, both referring to something moderately warm. However, "tepid" can also extend to describe a lack of enthusiasm, while "lukewarm" is mostly used for temperature.

What are some synonyms for "tepid"?

Some synonyms for "tepid" include "lukewarm", "halfhearted", and "unenthusiastic". The best choice depends on whether you're describing temperature or a lack of enthusiasm.

When is it appropriate to use "tepid"?

Use "tepid" when you want to describe something that is neither hot nor cold, or to characterize a reaction, response, or feeling that is mild and lacks intensity. For a stronger negative meaning consider using alternatives like "apathetic".