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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

indifferent

ihn-DIHF-ruhnt

Indifferent (adj) means having no particular interest, concern, or preference. Example: “He seemed indifferent to whether they won or lost.”

adj
1
Having no particular interest, concern, or preference.
"He seemed indifferent to whether they won or lost."
2
Mediocre; neither good nor bad.
"The reviews called the meal indifferent at best."

How to use indifferent

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot caring much, or (less commonly) just so-so in quality.

Common pairings
remain indifferent an indifferent performance indifferent to the outcome

Word forms

more indifferent comparative, indifferents plural, most indifferent superlative

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Test yourself on “indifferent” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He seemed _____ to whether they won or lost.

Etymology

From Old French indifferent, from Latin indifferens, from in- ("not") + differens ("differing").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for indifferent

See all rhymes for indifferent →

Frequently asked questions

What does “indifferent” mean?

The word “indifferent” means having no particular interest, concern, or preference. In plain terms, not caring much, or (less commonly) just so-so in quality.

How do you pronounce “indifferent”?

“Indifferent” is pronounced ihn-DIHF-ruhnt (/ɪnˈdɪf.ɹənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “indifferent” in a sentence?

Here is “indifferent” used in a sentence: “He seemed indifferent to whether they won or lost.”

What part of speech is “indifferent”?

“Indifferent” is an adjective.

Where does the word “indifferent” come from?

The word “indifferent” comes from Latin. From Old French indifferent, from Latin indifferens, from in- ("not") + differens ("differing").

Is “indifferent” a common word?

“Indifferent” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “indifferent” have?

“Indifferent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having no particular interest, concern, or preference.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial