Word
indifference
Phoneticsin·dif·fer·ence, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈdɪfɝəns/
UK/ɪndˈɪfɹəns/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a lack of interest or care about something. You feel this when you do not have a strong opinion and do not care what happens.
n. a state of being unconcerned or having no particular interest or sympathy. Often implies a cold or callous lack of emotional investment in a situation.
Examples
“He showed total indifference to the news.”
“The public's indifference toward the local election resulted in the lowest voter turnout in the city's history.”
“The philosopher argued that the greatest threat to justice is not active hatred, but rather a cold indifference to the suffering of others.”
Examples
simple
“He showed total indifference to the news.”
contextual
“The public's indifference toward the local election resulted in the lowest voter turnout in the city's history.”
complex
“The philosopher argued that the greatest threat to justice is not active hatred, but rather a cold indifference to the suffering of others.”
Usage
Commonly paired with the preposition 'to' or 'toward' to indicate the object of the lack of interest.
Pitfall
his indifference about the rules
his indifference to the rules
Indifference is conventionally followed by 'to' or 'toward' rather than 'about'.
Real-World Examples
“His snow leopards are part of an ecosystem, just like any other animal; they are hated and loved, as well as being objects of indifference.” “For Schiebinger, the suppression of knowledge about abortifacients reflected a form of “ cultured apathy or cultivated indifference ” toward reproductive knowledge that challenged political and economic priorities.” Etymology
From Middle French indifférence, from Late Latin indifferentia. By surface analysis, in- + difference.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/indifference