Indifference
/ɪnˈdɪfərəns/
Definitions
Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy; apathy.
/ɪnˈdɪfərəns/
Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy.
The teacher was shocked by the student's indifference to his grades.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend tells you about something exciting, but you just shrug and don't care. That's indifference! Like when you don't care if it rains or shines.
👶 For kids: When you don't care about something, like if someone is playing or not.
More Examples
Her indifference towards the environment was a concern.
His cold indifference towards the suffering of others made him unpopular.
The public's indifference to the political scandal was surprising.
How It's Used
"His indifference to their suffering was shocking."
"The patient displayed indifference to his surroundings."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
With indifference
In a way that shows a lack of interest or concern.
"He listened to her story with indifference."
Beyond indifference
Going past a lack of concern to a feeling of actual dislike or antipathy.
"His actions went beyond mere indifference, they were hostile."
From French *indifférence*, from Latin *indifferentia*, from *indifferens* ('not making a difference, neutral'), from *in-* ('not, un-') + *differens* ('different').
Historically, the word has been used to describe both a lack of preference and a lack of emotional response. The meaning evolved to focus primarily on a lack of concern or interest.
Memory tip
Think of a face showing no *different* emotions; *in* (not) *difference* (feeling).
Word Origin
"not different, neutral"