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

One color is for purchases we feel good about, the second color for purchases we feel bad about, and the third color is for purchases we feel indifferent toward, or necessities.

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One color is for purchases we feel good about, the second color for purchases we feel bad about, and the third color is for purchases we feel indifferent toward, or necessities.

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Now she endured the indifferent kisses of her grandchildren as if she was being pestered by mosquitoes.

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Edward Ashton asked, his voice so smooth as to sound indifferent.

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He gave her an indifferent peck on the cheek and strode out of the room.

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Related Words

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