Indifferent
/ɪnˈdɪfərənt/
Definitions
2 meaningsNot having or showing interest; unconcerned; apathetic.
/ɪnˈdɪfərənt/
Showing no interest or concern; apathetic.
He was indifferent to her suffering.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend is showing you a picture of their new pet, and you just shrug and say, 'That's nice.' You're being indifferent – you don't care very much. It's like when you don't have a strong feeling about something, good or bad.
👶 For kids: Not caring about something very much. Like if you don't care if it's raining or sunny.
More Examples
The government seemed indifferent to the needs of the people.
She remained indifferent, as if she didn't hear my questions.
How It's Used
"She was indifferent to his complaints."
"Many voters remained indifferent to the election."
Of no particular quality or value; not especially good or bad; mediocre.
/ɪnˈdɪfərənt/
Neither good nor bad; not excellent or poor.
The food at the restaurant was indifferent.
💡 Simply: If you eat a sandwich and it's not delicious, but not terrible either, you might say it's 'indifferent.' It's just... okay.
👶 For kids: Not very good, and not very bad.
More Examples
His artistic skills are, at best, indifferent.
She gave an indifferent performance.
How It's Used
"The quality of the service was indifferent."
"His performance was indifferent."
Synonyms
From French indifférent, from Latin indifferens, present participle of indifferre ('to be different, to make no difference').
Used since the 16th century, initially in a theological context, denoting an absence of preference towards one thing over another, later evolving to its more general meanings.
Memory tip
Think of a line that isn't DIFFERENT, it's the SAME, that's INDIFFERENT.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: differre