noun
Uncommon
apathy
A-puh-thee
Apathy (noun) means a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or emotion about something. Example: “Voter apathy meant only a third of the town bothered to show up.”
noun
1
A lack of interest, enthusiasm, or emotion about something.
"Voter apathy meant only a third of the town bothered to show up."
"His apathy toward the project frustrated the rest of the team."
How to use apathy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot caring — feeling flat, uninterested, or unmoved about something most people would react to.
Common mistake
Apathy is a lack of feeling, not sadness — someone apathetic isn't upset, they just don't care either way.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
voter apathy
general apathy
a wave of apathy
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Word forms
- Plural
- apathies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Voter _____ meant only a third of the town bothered to show up.
Etymology
From Greek apatheia, "without suffering" — built from a- ("not") plus pathos ("feeling").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for apathy
See all rhymes for apathy →Frequently asked questions
What does “apathy” mean?
The word “apathy” means a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or emotion about something. In plain terms, not caring — feeling flat, uninterested, or unmoved about something most people would react to.
How do you pronounce “apathy”?
“Apathy” is pronounced A-puh-thee (/ˈæ.pə.θi/ in IPA).
How do you use “apathy” in a sentence?
Here is “apathy” used in a sentence: “Voter apathy meant only a third of the town bothered to show up.”
What is the opposite of “apathy”?
The opposite of “apathy” — its antonyms — are concern, enthusiasm, interest, excitement and passion.
What part of speech is “apathy”?
“Apathy” is a noun.
Where does the word “apathy” come from?
The word “apathy” comes from Greek. From Greek apatheia, "without suffering" — built from a- ("not") plus pathos ("feeling").
Is “apathy” a common word?
“Apathy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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