Apathy
/ˈæpəθi/
nounB2
Definition
Apathy is when a person does not care about things that usually matter to others. It means feeling no emotion or motivation to act. People with apathy might seem calm or distant because they do not show strong feelings or reactions.
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See It in Action
Lack of interest or concern about things that usually matter
- •The student showed apathy towards his schoolwork and rarely did homework.
- •Public apathy about voting can lead to low election turnout.
- •Her apathy made it hard for her friends to understand how she felt.
Emotional numbness or lack of motivation to act
- •After the accident, he felt apathy and didn’t want to talk to anyone.
- •Apathy can be a sign of depression or emotional problems.
- •The team's apathy during the game made their coach worried.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "apathy" like "no feeling," but stronger—it means not caring at all, not just feeling a little sad or happy.
- ✓Picture a person sitting quietly without reacting to exciting news or bad events around them.
- ✓It's the feeling when you don’t want to do anything, even things you usually like.
- ✓Sounds like "A-PA-thy" → Imagine a path (sounds like "pathy") that leads nowhere because no one cares to walk on it.
- ✓In stories, apathy is like a character who watches life happen but does not join or care.
- ✓NOT like "bored" (which is temporary and about being uninterested), apathy is deeper and more lasting.
- ✓NOT like "indifference" (which means not caring between two things), apathy is a general lack of feeling or motivation.
- ✓NOT like "enthusiasm" (strong interest and energy), apathy means the opposite—no energy or interest at all.
Try Other Words
- •Indifference: lack of interest or concern (Use when the feeling is about not caring between options or choices)
- •Disinterest: lack of interest (Use when the feeling is about not paying attention or not being involved)
- •Unconcern: not worried or bothered (Use when the feeling is about not being worried rather than not caring at all)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "a-" (without) + "pathy" (feeling or suffering)
- •Etymology: From Greek "apatheia," meaning without feeling or passion
- •Historical development: First used in English in the early 1600s to describe lack of emotion or passion
- •Modern usage: Used to describe a general lack of interest or emotion in people or groups, often in social or political contexts
- •Key insight: The word shows a state of being emotionally "without feeling," not just quiet or calm
Reflect & Connect
•What situations in your life might cause feelings of apathy, and how do you respond to them?
•Can apathy ever be helpful, or is it always a negative feeling? Why?
Fill in the blanks
1.Many young people show apathy toward politics because they feel their vote will not ___ any change.
2.When someone has apathy, they usually do not feel ___ or excited about things around them.
3.Apathy is different from boredom because boredom is temporary, but apathy can ___ for a long time.
4.The phrase "apathy towards" is often used with ___ like "issues," "problems," or "events."
5.After losing hope, the team’s apathy made them stop trying, showing a lack of ___ to continue.
6.People with apathy may ___ to speak or act even when something important happens.
7.Public apathy during elections can ___ the results because fewer people vote.