Lukewarm vs. Warm — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 29, 2024
Lukewarm water is tepid, comfortable for prolonged hand exposure, while warm water feels noticeably hotter but still pleasant.
Difference Between Lukewarm and Warm
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Lukewarm water, often around 98-105°F, is ideal for tasks like yeast activation, where too much heat can kill. Warm water, typically between 105°F and 115°F, is better for soothing muscles and increasing blood flow.
Lukewarm water is perceived as gently tepid, making it suitable for sensitive skin or baby baths. Warm water, on the other hand, offers a comforting heat that can relax the body without causing discomfort.
For culinary uses, lukewarm water is preferred for dissolving sugar or blooming gelatin without affecting the texture, whereas warm water is often used to accelerate the melting of ingredients like chocolate.
In terms of beverage preparation, lukewarm water is ideal for delicate teas, preserving flavor without bitterness. Warm water is chosen for more robust teas or for a more pronounced extraction of flavors.
In healthcare, lukewarm water is used for cleaning wounds or administering enemas, where minimal irritation is crucial. Warm water is favored for compresses or baths to alleviate aches, as it promotes better circulation.
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Comparison Chart
Temperature Range (°F)
98-105
105-115
Ideal Uses
Yeast activation, baby baths
Muscle relaxation, baths
Sensation on Skin
Tepid, gentle
Noticeably hot, comforting
Culinary Uses
Dissolving sugar, blooming gelatin
Melting chocolate
Healthcare Uses
Wound cleaning, enemas
Compresses, soothing baths
Compare with Definitions
Lukewarm
Barely warm; tepid.
She tested the bottle's milk to ensure it was lukewarm for the baby.
Warm
Having a moderately high temperature.
She filled the tub with warm water for a soothing bath.
Lukewarm
Moderately warm in temperature.
Lukewarm water is best for dissolving yeast.
Warm
Characterized by a comfortably high temperature.
The warm sweater was perfect for the chilly evening.
Lukewarm
Indifferent or unenthusiastic.
His lukewarm attitude towards the project was noticeable.
Warm
Showing enthusiasm or affection.
He received a warm welcome at his hometown.
Lukewarm
Slightly warm to the touch.
The lukewarm bath was perfect for relaxing without overheating.
Warm
Encouraging; supportive.
The teacher gave her students warm encouragement during exams.
Lukewarm
Showing little enthusiasm.
The proposal received a lukewarm response from the board.
Warm
Making one feel warmth.
The warm sunlight filtered through the windows.
Lukewarm
Mildly warm; tepid.
Warm
Of or at a fairly or comfortably high temperature
I walked quickly to keep warm
A warm September evening
Lukewarm
Lacking conviction or enthusiasm; indifferent
Gave only lukewarm support to the incumbent candidate.
Warm
Having or showing enthusiasm, affection, or kindness
They exchanged warm, friendly smiles
A warm welcome
Lukewarm
(temperature) Between warm and cool.
Wash it in lukewarm water.
My curry is lukewarm.
Warm
(of a colour) containing red, yellow, or orange tones
Her fair colouring suited soft, warm shades
Lukewarm
Unenthusiastic (about a proposal or an idea).
The suggestion met with only a lukewarm response.
Warm
(of a scent or trail) fresh; strong.
Lukewarm
Moderately warm; neither cold nor hot; tepid.
Warm
Make or become warm
The film warmed our hearts
It's a bit chilly in here, but it'll soon warm up
I stamped my feet to warm them up
Lukewarm
Not ardent; not zealous; cool; indifferent.
An obedience so lukewarm and languishing that it merits not the name of passion.
Warm
A warm place or area
Stay in the warm, I've made up the fire for you
Lukewarm
Moderately warm;
He hates lukewarm coffee
Tepid bath water
Warm
Short for British warm
Lukewarm
Feeling or showing little interest or enthusiasm;
A halfhearted effort
Gave only lukewarm support to the candidate
Warm
Somewhat hotter than temperate; having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat; moderately hot
A warm climate.
Warm
Having the natural heat of living beings
A warm body.
Warm
Preserving or imparting heat
A warm jacket.
Warm
Having or causing a sensation of unusually high body heat, as from exercise or hard work; overheated.
Warm
Marked by enthusiasm; ardent
Warm support.
Warm
Characterized by liveliness, excitement, or disagreement; heated
A warm debate.
Warm
Marked by or revealing friendliness or sincerity; cordial
Warm greetings.
Warm
Loving; passionate
A warm embrace.
Warm
Excitable, impetuous, or quick to be aroused
A warm temper.
Warm
Predominantly red or yellow in tone
A warm sunset.
Warm
Recently made; fresh
A warm trail.
Warm
Close to discovering, guessing, or finding something, as in certain games.
Warm
(Informal) Uncomfortable because of danger or annoyance
Things are warm for the bookies.
Warm
To raise slightly in temperature; make warm
Warmed the rolls a bit more.
Warm up the house.
Warm
To make zealous or ardent; enliven.
Warm
To fill with pleasant emotions
We were warmed by the sight of home.
Warm
To become warm
The rolls are warming in the oven.
Warm
To become ardent, enthusiastic, or animated
Began to warm to the subject.
Warm
To become kindly disposed or friendly
She felt the audience warming to her.
Warm
A warming or heating.
Warm
Having a temperature slightly higher than usual, but still pleasant; mildly hot.
The tea is still warm.
This is a very warm room.
Warm
Caring and friendly, of relations to another person.
We have a warm friendship.
Warm
Having a color in the red-orange-yellow part of the visible electromagnetic spectrum.
Warm
Close, often used in the context of a game in which "warm" and "cold" are used to indicate nearness to the goal.
Warm
Fresh, of a scent; still able to be traced.
Warm
(figurative) Communicating a sense of comfort, ease, or pleasantness
A warm piano sound
Warm
(archaic) Ardent, zealous.
A warm debate, with strong words exchanged
Warm
Well off as to property, or in good circumstances; prosperous.
Warm
(archaic) Requiring arduous effort.
Warm
(transitive) To make or keep warm.
Warm
(intransitive) To become warm, to heat up.
My socks are warming by the fire.
The earth soon warms on a clear summer day.
Warm
Sometimes in the form warm up To favour increasingly.
He is warming to the idea.
Her classmates are gradually warming to her.
Warm
(intransitive) To become ardent or animated.
The speaker warms as he proceeds.
Warm
(transitive) To make engaged or earnest; to interest; to engage; to excite ardor or zeal in; to enliven.
Warm
To beat or spank.
Warm
To prepopulate (a cache) so that its contents are ready for other users.
Warm
(colloquial) The act of warming, or the state of being warmed; a heating.
Shall I give your coffee a warm in the microwave?
Warm
Having heat in a moderate degree; not cold as, warm milk.
Warm and still is the summer night.
Warm
Having a sensation of heat, esp. of gentle heat; glowing.
Warm
Subject to heat; having prevalence of heat, or little or no cold weather; as, the warm climate of Egypt.
Warm
Fig.: Not cool, indifferent, lukewarm, or the like, in spirit or temper; zealous; ardent; fervent; excited; sprightly; irritable; excitable.
Mirth, and youth, and warm desire!
Each warm wish springs mutual from the heart.
They say he's warm man and does not care to be mad mouths at.
I had been none of the warmest of partisans.
Warm
Violent; vehement; furious; excited; passionate; as, a warm contest; a warm debate.
Welcome, daylight; we shall have warm work on't.
Warm
Being well off as to property, or in good circumstances; forehanded; rich.
Warm householders, every one of them.
You shall have a draft upon him, payable at sight: and let me tell you he as warm a man as any within five miles round him.
Warm
In children's games, being near the object sought for; hence, being close to the discovery of some person, thing, or fact concealed.
Here, indeed, young Mr. Dowse was getting "warm," children say at blindman's buff.
Warm
Having yellow or red for a basis, or in their composition; - said of colors, and opposed to cold which is of blue and its compounds.
Warm
To communicate a moderate degree of heat to; to render warm; to supply or furnish heat to; as, a stove warms an apartment.
Then shall it [an ash tree] be for a man to burn; for he will take thereof and warm himself.
Enough to warm, but not enough to burn.
Warm
To make engaged or earnest; to interest; to engage; to excite ardor or zeal; to enliven.
I formerly warmed my head with reading controversial writings.
Bright hopes, that erst bosom warmed.
Warm
To become warm, or moderately heated; as, the earth soon warms in a clear day summer.
There shall not be a coal to warm at.
Warm
To become ardent or animated; as, the speake warms as he proceeds.
Warm
The act of warming, or the state of being warmed; a warming; a heating.
Warm
Get warm or warmer;
The soup warmed slowly on the stove
Warm
Make warm or warmer;
The blanket will warm you
Warm
Having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat;
A warm body
A warm room
A warm climate
A warm coat
Warm
Psychologically warm; friendly and responsive;
A warm greeting
A warm personality
Warm support
Warm
(color) inducing the impression of warmth; used especially of reds and oranges and yellows;
Warm reds and yellows and orange
Warm
Having or displaying warmth or affection;
Affectionate children
Caring parents
A fond embrace
Fond of his nephew
A tender glance
A warm embrace
Warm
Freshly made or left;
A warm trail
The scent is warm
Warm
Easily aroused or excited;
A quick temper
A warm temper
Warm
Characterized by strong enthusiasm;
Ardent revolutionaries
Warm support
Warm
Characterized by liveliness or excitement or disagreement;
A warm debate
Warm
Uncomfortable because of possible danger or trouble;
Made things warm for the bookies
Warm
Of a seeker; near to the object sought;
You're getting warm
Hot on the trail
Warm
In a warm manner;
Warmly dressed
Warm-clad skiers
Common Curiosities
Can I use warm water instead of lukewarm for yeast recipes?
Using warm water instead of lukewarm might kill the yeast due to the higher temperature.
Is lukewarm water better for skin?
Yes, lukewarm water is gentler on the skin, reducing the risk of irritation compared to warmer water.
Can lukewarm water help in weight loss?
Drinking lukewarm water can aid digestion and metabolism, potentially supporting weight loss efforts.
What is the main difference between lukewarm and warm water?
Lukewarm water is tepid and gentle, ideal for sensitive tasks, whereas warm water is hotter, offering comfort and relaxation.
Why is warm water recommended for muscle relaxation?
Warm water increases blood flow and relaxes muscles, making it ideal for soothing aches.
How do I know if water is lukewarm?
Lukewarm water feels slightly warm to the touch without causing discomfort.
Is it safe to bathe infants in warm water?
It's safer to use lukewarm water for infants to avoid overheating their sensitive skin.
Is warm water beneficial for the common cold?
Yes, inhaling steam from warm water can alleviate congestion and symptoms of the common cold.
Can drinking lukewarm water improve digestion?
Yes, lukewarm water can aid digestion by facilitating the breakdown of food.
Is lukewarm water good for plants?
Yes, lukewarm water prevents shock to plants' roots, especially in cold conditions.
Why is lukewarm water recommended for dissolving yeast?
Lukewarm water activates yeast without killing it, unlike hotter water.
Can warm water damage hair?
Warm water can strip natural oils from the hair, leading to dryness, whereas lukewarm water is gentler.
Why is warm water used in tea making?
Warm water extracts tea flavors more effectively than lukewarm water, especially for robust teas.
Does warm water clean better than lukewarm?
Warm water can dissolve fats and oils more efficiently, making it better for cleaning.
Can both lukewarm and warm water hydrate effectively?
Yes, both temperatures hydrate the body, with personal preference affecting the choice.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
