What does "indifference" mean?
The state of being indifferent.
Indifference
/ɪnˈdɪf.ɹəns/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The state of being indifferent.
- Grammar: indifference is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: apathy, unconcern, abandon, abeyance.
- Useful contrasts: academic personal interest, behavioral influence, chemical reactions.
- Usage evidence: It is a matter of indifference to him.
How to use "indifference"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "indifference" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "indifference" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "indifference" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "indifference" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "apathy" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "indifference", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The state of being indifferent. countable, uncountable
""I do not care for them; I would not have them now," cried Lady Penrhyn; "it is only your affection I care for. Do not suppose, for a moment, that I wish for the tables when you do not: oh, no! my only concern was for your indifference. But I am content if you tell me I was mistaken.""
- 2 the trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally wordnet
- 3 Unbiased impartiality. countable, uncountable
- 4 the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern wordnet
- 5 Unemotional apathy. countable, uncountable
"His daughter's indifference towards the sexist group made him wonder if she felt no empathy for the bullied."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 apathy demonstrated by an absence of emotional reactions wordnet
- 7 A lack of enthusiasm. countable, uncountable
- 8 unbiased impartial unconcern wordnet
- 9 Unconcerned nonchalance. countable, uncountable
"I liked the man for his own sake, and even had he promised to turn out a celebrity it would have had no weight with me. I look upon notoriety with the same indifference as on the buttons on a man's shirt-front, or the crest on his note-paper."
- 10 Self-identity defined through the negation of difference, non-difference. countable, uncountable
""I call reason absolute reason, or reason insofar as it is conceived as the total indifference of the subjective and objective.""
Antonyms
academic personal interestbehavioral influencechemical reactionscivic duty
Example
"It is a matter of indifference to him."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "indifference"?
Common synonyms include: apathy, unconcern, abandon, abeyance, absentmindedness, abstraction.
How do you use "indifference" in a sentence?
It is a matter of indifference to him.
How do you pronounce "indifference"?
Pronounced /ɪnˈdɪf.ɹəns/.
Etymology
From Middle French indifférence, from Late Latin indifferentia. By surface analysis, in- + difference.