Indifferent — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /in-ˈdi-f(ə-)rənt/ in·dif·fer·ent

Meaning & Definition of Indifferent

Indifferent (adjective)

  1. marked by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern for something, apathetic
  2. marked by no special liking for or dislike of something
  3. being neither good nor bad, mediocre

Indifferent (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing a lack of interest or concern

    "indifferent about the result of the football game"

    similar: apathetic, casual, complacent, disinterested, incurious, insensible, insouciant, nonchalant, perfunctory, pococurante, unconcerned, uncurious, uninterested
    related: halfhearted, lukewarm, tepid, aloof, cold, numb, remote, unemotional, callous, hard-hearted, insensitive, unfeeling, calm, cool, detached, dispassionate, careless, heedless, mindless, impassive, impervious, phlegmatic, stoic, stolid, lethargic, listless, unimpressed
    opposite: concerned, interested
    near: attentive, aware, conscientious, heedful, mindful, caring, sensitive, warmhearted, ardent, fervent, keen, passionate, warm, zealous

  2. of average to below average quality

    "an indifferent but drinkable cup of coffee"

    similar: common, fair, mediocre, medium, middling, ordinary, passable, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, second-class, second-rate, so-so
    related: acceptable, adequate, all right, alright, decent, OK, reasonable, satisfactory, sufficient, sufficing, tolerable, moderate, modest, presentable, respectable, minimal, unexceptional, fine, good, nice
    near: A1, capital, choice, classic, distinguished, excellent, exceptional, exquisite, fabulous, fantastic, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, marvelous, matchless, maximum, nifty, number one, optimal, optimum, outstanding, par excellence, peerless, preeminent, prime, sensational, special, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supreme, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unmatched, unparalleled, unsurpassed, deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wanting

  3. marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias

    "they believed their art teacher could offer an indifferent judgment on their works' merits"

    similar: candid, disinterested, dispassionate, equal, equitable, evenhanded, fair, impartial, just, nonpartisan, objective, square, unbiased, unprejudiced
    related: frank, forthright, open, straight, straightforward, balanced, rational, reasonable
    opposite: biased, ex parte, inequitable, nonobjective, one-sided, partial, parti pris, partisan, prejudiced, unjust
    near: deceitful, deceptive, dishonest, arbitrary, unconscionable, unreasonable, jaundiced, unfriendly, unsympathetic, colored, distorted, warped

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Indifferent

The most common words with a similar meaning to Indifferent:

apathetic, casual, complacent, disinterested, incurious, insensible, insouciant, nonchalant, perfunctory, pococurante, unconcerned, uncurious, uninterested, common, fair, mediocre, medium, middling, ordinary, passable, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, second-class, second-rate, so-so, candid, dispassionate, equal, equitable, evenhanded, impartial, just, nonpartisan, objective, square, unbiased, unprejudiced

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Indifferent

Words with the opposite meaning of Indifferent:

concerned, interested, biased, ex parte, inequitable, nonobjective, one-sided, partial, parti pris, partisan, prejudiced, unjust

Related Words for Indifferent

halfhearted, lukewarm, tepid, aloof, cold, numb, remote, unemotional, callous, hard-hearted, insensitive, unfeeling, calm, cool, detached, careless, heedless, mindless, impassive, impervious, phlegmatic, stoic, stolid, lethargic, listless, unimpressed, acceptable, adequate, all right, alright

Near Antonyms of Indifferent

attentive, aware, conscientious, heedful, mindful, caring, sensitive, warmhearted, ardent, fervent, keen, passionate, warm, zealous, A1, capital, choice, classic, distinguished, excellent, exceptional, exquisite, fabulous, fantastic, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, marvelous, matchless

Word Forms of Indifferent

Derived words: indifferently (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Indifferent

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin indifferent-, indifferens, from in- + different-, differens, present participle of differre to be different differ

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Indifferent

What does "Indifferent" mean?

"Indifferent" means marked by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern for something, apathetic. As an adjective, it is defined as: marked by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern for something, apathetic. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Indifferent"?

Other words for "Indifferent" include apathetic, casual, complacent, disinterested, incurious, insensible, insouciant and nonchalant. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Indifferent" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Indifferent"?

There are 90 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Indifferent". Common alternatives include apathetic, casual, complacent, disinterested, incurious, insensible, insouciant, nonchalant, perfunctory and pococurante.

What is the opposite of "Indifferent"?

Antonyms of "Indifferent" include concerned, interested, biased, ex parte, inequitable, nonobjective, one-sided and partial. Near antonyms include attentive, aware, conscientious and heedful.

How do you use "Indifferent" in a sentence?

Examples of "Indifferent" in a sentence: "indifferent about the result of the football game"; "an indifferent but drinkable cup of coffee"; "they believed their art teacher could offer an indifferent judgment on their works' merits".

Is "Indifferent" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Indifferent" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Indifferent"?

"Indifferent" is pronounced /in-ˈdi-f(ə-)rənt/ and divided into syllables as in·dif·fer·ent.

What is the origin of the word "Indifferent"?

"Indifferent" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin indifferent-, indifferens, from in- + different-, differens, present participle of differre to be different differ. First known use: 14th century.