Indifferent
/ɪnˈdɪfrənt/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Indifferent describes a feeling or attitude where a person does not care much about something. They feel neutral or have no strong opinion or emotion about a situation, person, or thing.
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See It in Action
Showing no interest or concern
- •She was indifferent to the results of the game.
- •Many people are indifferent to politics.
- •He seemed indifferent when we told him the news.
Neither good nor bad; average or ordinary (less common)
- •The movie was indifferent; it didn't impress me.
- •His performance was indifferent, not very good but not bad either.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "indifferent" like "not interested," but stronger—it means you really do not care either way
- ✓Picture a person watching a game but not cheering or feeling upset—just quiet and calm
- ✓It's the feeling when you hear news but it does not make you happy or sad; you just feel nothing special
- ✓Sounds like "in-DIFFER-ent" → imagine a person saying "I don't DIFFER" (not different or not caring)
- ✓Think of a story where a character does not choose sides or does not feel excited about anything happening
- ✓NOT like "happy" (positive feeling) or "sad" (negative feeling)—indifferent means no strong feeling at all
- ✓NOT like "bored" (tired or uninterested because of lack of excitement)—indifferent means no care, not just boredom
- ✓NOT like "neutral" (can be similar) but "indifferent" often means a lack of interest or concern, not just balance
Try Other Words
- •Unconcerned: not worried or interested (Use when the person does not worry about something)
- •Apathetic: showing no emotion or interest (Use when the lack of feeling is stronger and more negative)
- •Neutral: not supporting either side (Use when talking about opinions or sides rather than feelings)
- •Uninterested: not interested (Use when someone does not want to pay attention or learn about something)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "in-" means "not"
- •Root: "different" means "not the same" or "having a difference"
- •Etymology: From Latin "indifferens," meaning "not different" or "without difference"
- •Historical development: Originally meaning "without difference," it changed to mean "without interest or care" in English by the 1600s
- •Modern usage: Used to describe people or things showing no strong feeling, care, or interest; also used to describe something average or not special
Reflect & Connect
•Can being indifferent sometimes be a good choice? When might it help or hurt?
•How do you feel when someone is indifferent to something important to you?
Fill in the blanks
1.She was indifferent ___ the outcome of the game, showing no excitement or disappointment.
2.When people are indifferent to a problem, they usually ___ to help or change it.
3.Being indifferent is different from being angry or happy because it shows ___ feelings.
4.He shrugged ___ and said he was indifferent ___ the decision.
5.Sometimes, people act indifferent to hide their true ___ or feelings.
6.The movie was indifferent; it did not make me feel ___ or excited.
7.When someone is indifferent, they often do not ___ about what happens next.