definitions

apathy

[ ap-uh-thee ]
/ ˈæp ə θi /
|

noun, plural ap·a·thies.

absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement.
lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting.
Also ap·a·thei·a, ap·a·thi·a [ap-uh-thee-uh] /ˌæp əˈθi ə/. Stoicism. freedom from emotion of any kind.

Nearby words

apast, apastron, apatetic, apathetic, apathism, apathy, apatite, apatosaurus, apb, apc, ape

Origin of apathy

1595–1605; (< F) < Latin apathīa < Greek apátheia insensibility to suffering, equivalent to apathe- (stem of apathḗs) unfeeling (a- a-6 + pathe-, variant stem of páthos pathos) + -ia -ia

SYNONYMS FOR apathy

1 coolness.
2 See indifference.

ANTONYMS FOR apathy

1 ardor, fervor.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for apatheia

apathy

/ (ˈæpəθɪ) /

noun

absence of interest in or enthusiasm for things generally considered interesting or moving
absence of emotion

Word Origin for apathy

C17: from Latin, from Greek apatheia, from apathēs without feeling, from a- 1 + pathos feeling
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for apatheia

apathy

[ ăp′ə-thē ]

n.

Lack of interest, concern, or emotion; indifference.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.