adjective

indifferent

/ɪnˈdɪfərənt/ · say it: in·DIF·er·unt

having no particular interest or concern

In Personality & Character

In more detail

1. (adjective) not interested in or concerned about something

2. (adjective) of poor or ordinary quality; not very good or bad

Examples

1. He seemed indifferent to the criticism and didn't seem to care.
2. The movie was indifferent—nothing special, but not terrible either.

How to use indifferent

Indifferent has two distinct senses: (1) describing emotional detachment or lack of interest, often implying a moral failing or coldness ('indifferent to suffering'); and (2) describing something mediocre or neither good nor bad ('an indifferent performance'). The first sense is more common and carries mild negative judgment, while the second is more neutral but less frequent in modern usage.

Common phrases

indifferent to
remain indifferent
indifferent quality
seemingly indifferent
rather indifferent

Synonyms

apathetic · unmoved · uninterested · unconcerned · mediocre

Opposites

interested · concerned · excellent

Word family

indifference (noun) · indifferently (adverb) · indifferent (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 'indifferent' with 'different'; indifferent means lacking interest or being mediocre, not simply distinct or varied.

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