Tepidity - English Definition & Meaning

Definition

Tepidity refers to the state of being lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. It's often used to describe water or liquids that are just slightly warm. Think of bathwater that's lost its initial heat and is now just barely warm. It can also describe a lack of enthusiasm or passion. Unlike scalding water or ice, tepidity is characterized by its lack of intensity or strong temperature.

Etymology

The word 'tepidity' comes from the Latin word 'tepidus,' meaning 'lukewarm.' 'Tepidus' is related to 'tepere,' which means 'to be slightly warm.' The etymology emphasizes the mildness and lack of strong temperature associated with the word. It carries a sense of being neither hot nor cold, but somewhere in between.

Related Words

Examples

• "The tepidity of the water made it unappealing to drink."
• "His tepidity towards the project was evident in his lack of effort."
• "The tepidity of the response disappointed the speaker."
• "The tepidity of the tea suggested it had been sitting for a while."

Encouragement

Want to sound sophisticated when describing something that's not quite hot or cold? Use 'tepidity.' It's a great alternative to 'lukewarm.' 😉

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