Word
indifferent
Phoneticsin·dif·fer·ent, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈdɪfɝənt/
UK/ɪndˈɪfɹənt/
Definitions
01uninterested
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not caring about something or having no interest in it.
adj. showing a lack of interest, concern, or sympathy; unconcerned.
“He was indifferent to the news and didn't even look up from his book.”
“The government remained largely indifferent to the protests, dismissing the public outcry as a temporary surge in populist sentiment.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'to'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02mediocre
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. not very good; of only average quality.
adj. of only moderate quality; mediocre or unexceptional.
“The food at the new restaurant was indifferent, so we didn't go back.”
“Despite the hype surrounding the premiere, the critics dismissed the film as an indifferent effort that failed to capture the spirit of the novel.”
Antonyms
03impartial
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Formal
adj. fair and not taking sides.
adj. unbiased and impartial; not predisposed to one side or the other.
“The judge promised to give an indifferent ruling based only on the facts.”
“The treaty required an indifferent observer to monitor the border and ensure that neither party violated the ceasefire agreement.”
Teaching tip
In modern English, this sense is rare; 'indifferent' now almost always implies a lack of care rather than fair judgment.
Real-World Examples
“Gatlif remained indifferent to such criticisms and continued making films his way, even if audiences diminished in recent years.” “Throughout edge tracking, that compass stayed locked to the wind, indifferent to whether the fly was in odor or out.” Etymology
From Old French indifferent, from Latin indifferens. By surface analysis, in- + different.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/indifferent