indifferent
pronunciation
How to pronounce indifferent in British English:
UK [ɪnˈdɪfrənt]
How to pronounce indifferent in American English:
US [ɪnˈdɪfrənt]
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- Adjective:
- marked by a lack of interest
- showing no care or concern in attitude or action
- (usually followed by `to') unwilling or refusing to pay heed
- (often followed by `to') lacking importance; not mattering one way or the other
- fairly poor to not very good
- having only a limited ability to react chemically; not active
- marked by no especial liking or dislike or preference for one thing over another
- characterized by a lack of partiality
- neither good nor bad
- neither too great nor too little
Word Origin
- indifferent
- indifferent: see different
- indifferent (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."
Synonym
Antonym
Example
- 1. Government and business were largely indifferent to education .
- 2. Most non-drivers seem indifferent to them .
- 3. It is indispensable that we not allow ourselves to be indifferent to it .
- 4. But after the euphoria of toppling batista in january 1959 , his friend proved indifferent to human rights and liberties .
- 5. Other kinds of close encounter may be less rewarding and leave much of human society feeling indifferent towards alien life .