What does "indifferent" mean?
A person who is indifferent or apathetic.
Indifferent
/ɪnˈdɪf.ɹənt/ adj, adv, noun
adj, adv, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A person who is indifferent or apathetic.
- Grammar: indifferent is listed as adj, adv, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: apathetic, neutral, unbiased, airy.
- Useful contrasts: enthusiastic, zealous, academic curiosity.
- Usage evidence: How can you be so indifferent to your wife's trouble?
How to use "indifferent"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "indifferent" 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 "indifferent" 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 "indifferent" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "indifferent" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- 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 "indifferent" is acting as adj, adv, 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 "apathetic" 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.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "indifferent", 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 A person who is indifferent or apathetic.
Adjective
- 1 Ambivalent; unconcerned; uninterested, apathetic.
"He was indifferent to the proposal, since it didn’t affect him, either way."
- 2 Indicating or reflecting a lack of concern or care.
"She responded with an indifferent shrug."
- 3 Mediocre (usually used negatively in modern usage).
"The long distance and the indifferent roads made the journey impossible."
- 4 Having no preference.
"I am indifferent between the two plans."
- 5 Unbiased, impartial, judging fairly. dated
"On October 7, 1640, the Massachusetts General Court attempted to solve the problem by a law stating that property seized for debts was to be assessed "at such prizes [prices] as the same shalbee valewed [shall be valued] at by 3 understanding and indifferent men, to bee chosen, the one by the creditor, another by the debtor, and the third by the marshall […]""
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 Not making a difference; without significance or importance.
"Even if one appliance consumes an indifferent amount of energy when left on stand-by overnight, together they can represent 10% of the electricity demand of a household."
- 7 Being in the state of neutral equilibrium.
- 8 Not different, matching. obsolete
"[…] let their heads be sleekly comb’d, their blue coats brush’d and their garters of an indifferent knit"
Adjective
- 1 showing no care or concern in attitude or action wordnet
- 2 (usually followed by ‘to’) unwilling or refusing to pay heed wordnet
- 3 (often followed by ‘to’) lacking importance; not mattering one way or the other wordnet
- 4 marked by a lack of interest wordnet
- 5 neither too great nor too little wordnet
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 being neither good nor bad wordnet
- 7 characterized by a lack of partiality wordnet
- 8 marked by no especial liking or dislike or preference for one thing over another wordnet
- 9 having only a limited ability to react chemically; chemically inactive wordnet
- 10 fairly poor to not very good wordnet
Adverb
- 1 To some extent, in some degree (intermediate between very and not at all); moderately, tolerably, fairly. obsolete
"The face of the Moon appearing to me to be full of indifferent high mountains."
- 2 Without distinction or preference for some over others. obsolete
"Newton. My Maſters, you that be the chiefeſt of the rout, The King intreats you kindly here by me, To come and ſpeake with him a word or two. Iacke Straw. Sirra, if the King would any thinge with vs, Tell him the way is indifferent to meete vs. Newton. You are too many to be talkt with all, […]"
Antonyms
Example
"How can you be so indifferent to your wife's trouble?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "indifferent"?
Common synonyms include: apathetic, neutral, unbiased, airy, aloof, amoral being.
How do you use "indifferent" in a sentence?
How can you be so indifferent to your wife's trouble?
How do you pronounce "indifferent"?
Pronounced /ɪnˈdɪf.ɹənt/.
Etymology
From Old French indifferent, from Latin indifferens. By surface analysis, in- + different.