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

Other Word Forms

• indifferently adverb
• quasi-indifferent adjective
• quasi-indifferently adverb
• superindifferent adjective
• superindifferently 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

“DOGE was completely indifferent to the effect their actions had on human beings,” said Barnett Rubin, an Afghanistan expert who has served as a senior adviser for the United Nations and State Department.

From Salon

This novel is not for the intellectually indifferent.

From Los Angeles Times

Other residents said they were indifferent to the new plan, saying the Israeli military already had control over their lives.

From BBC

Park’s not indifferent to normie concerns, such as family tensions and floundering careers, communities and their discontents.

From Los Angeles Times

The experience has had mixed reviews from critics - The Telegraph awarded it one-star and said it had "limp and indifferent offerings", but CityAM described it as "incredibly touching" in a four-star review.

From BBC

Related Words

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