indifferent

[ in-dif-er-uhnt, -dif-ruhnt ]

adjective

1. without interest or concern; not caring; apathetic:

   his indifferent attitude toward the suffering of others.

2. having no bias, prejudice, or preference; impartial; disinterested.
3. neither good nor bad in character or quality; average; routine:

   an indifferent specimen.

4. not particularly good, important, etc.; unremarkable; unnotable:

   an indifferent success; an indifferent performance.

   Synonyms: commonplace, uninspired, undistinguished, mediocre

5. of only moderate amount, extent, etc.
6. not making a difference, or mattering, one way or the other.
7. immaterial or unimportant.
8. not essential or obligatory, as an observance.
9. making no difference or distinction, as between persons or things:

   indifferent justice.

10. neutral in chemical, electric, or magnetic quality.
11. Biology. not differentiated or specialized, as cells or tissues.

noun

1. an ethically or morally indifferent act.
2. a person who is indifferent, especially in matters of religion or politics.

adverb

1. Archaic. indifferently:

   I am indifferent well.

indifferent

/ ɪnˈdɪfrənt; -fərənt /

adjective

1. often foll by to showing no care or concern; uninterested

   he was indifferent to my pleas

2. unimportant; immaterial
3. 1. of only average or moderate size, extent, quality, etc
   2. not at all good; poor
4. showing or having no preferences; impartial
5. biology
   1. (of cells or tissues) not differentiated or specialized
   2. (of a species) not found in any particular community

Derived Forms

• inˈdifferently, adverb

Other Words From

• in·differ·ent·ly adverb
• quasi-in·differ·ent adjective
• quasi-in·differ·ent·ly adverb
• super·in·differ·ent adjective
• super·in·differ·ent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of indifferent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (adjective), from Latin indifferent-, stem of indifferēns; equivalent to in- ³ + different

Word History and Origins

Origin of indifferent¹

C14: from Latin indifferēns making no distinction

Example Sentences

They appeared to be indifferent to the world-historical events that were happening that day and night.

From Salon

Soon enough it will come time for Trump, a superlative self-promoter and indifferent executive, to deliver on his many extravagant promises.

From Los Angeles Times

“I wanted to be a part of history — good, bad or indifferent,” said Camille Thelemaque, 38, a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, a historically Black institution.

From Los Angeles Times

It's terrifying that so many voters are ignorant and indifferent about the fact that this increasingly confused and angry person has a coin-toss chance of once again winning the presidency.

From Salon

Professor Noah Perlut with the University of New England studies urban gull populations in Portland, Maine and says most people he hears from are indifferent toward the birds.

From Salon

Related Words

• aloof
• apathetic
• callous
• detached
• diffident
• disinterested
• distant
• haughty
• heartless
• impartial
• impervious
• inattentive
• neutral
• nonchalant
• uncaring
• unconcerned
• uninvolved
• unresponsive
• unsympathetic