indifferent [in-dif -er-uh nt, -dif -ruh nt]
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for indifferent on Thesaurus.com without interest or concern; not caring; apathetic: his indifferent attitude toward the suffering of others. having no bias, prejudice, or preference; impartial; disinterested. neither good nor bad in character or quality; average; routine: an indifferent specimen. not particularly good, important, etc.; unremarkable; unnotable: an indifferent success; an indifferent performance. of only moderate amount, extent, etc. not making a difference, or mattering, one way or the other. immaterial or unimportant. not essential or obligatory, as an observance. making no difference or distinction, as between persons or things: indifferent justice. neutral in chemical, electric, or magnetic quality. Biology not differentiated or specialized, as cells or tissues. Show More
an ethically or morally indifferent act. a person who is indifferent, especially in matters of religion or politics. Show More
Archaic indifferently: I am indifferent well. Show More
Origin of indifferent 1350–1400; Middle English (adj.) <
Latin indifferent- (stem of
indifferēns ). See
in-3 ,
different Related forms 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 Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for indifferently Contemporary Examples of indifferently Historical Examples of indifferently "You are welcome to your opinion," returned Robert, indifferently .
For I have seen a letter of his, and indifferently worded, as poorly spelt.
"The lions have found that rhino," remarked Kingozi indifferently .
"Better let him go on in his own way," remarked the Judge, indifferently .
Information seems to reach the Valley but indifferently , Sir John.
British Dictionary definitions for indifferently (often foll by to) showing no care or concern; uninterested he was indifferent to my pleas unimportant; immaterial of only average or moderate size, extent, quality, etc not at all good; poor showing or having no preferences; impartial biology (of cells or tissues) not differentiated or specialized (of a species) not found in any particular community Show More
Derived Forms indifferently , adverb Word Origin for indifferent C14: from Latin indifferēns making no distinction
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for indifferently adj. late 14c., "unbiased," from Old French indifferent "impartial" or directly from Latin indifferentem (nominative indifferens ) "not differing, not particular, of not consequence, neither good nor evil," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + differens , present participle of differre "set apart" (see differ ). Extended sense of "apathetic" first recorded early 15c.; that of "neither good nor bad" 1530s, on notion of "neither more nor less advantageous."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
indifferently in Medicine indifferent [ĭn-dĭf′ ər-ənt, -dĭf′ rənt]
Characterized by a lack of partiality; unbiased. Not active or involved; neutral. Undifferentiated, as cells or tissue. Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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