# indifferent

/ˌɪnˈdɪfɝənt/ (US) · /ɪndˈɪfɹənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/indifferent
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. uninterested

adjective · CEFR B2

not caring about something or having no interest in it.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. mediocre

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

not very good; of only average quality.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. impartial

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

fair and not taking sides.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He was indifferent to the results of the game.
- The committee remained indifferent to the public's complaints, choosing to proceed with the original plan regardless of the backlash.
- In a world of constant digital noise, many consumers have become indifferent to traditional advertising, forcing brands to seek more creative ways to capture attention.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.