indifference
gb/ɪndˈɪfɹəns/ us/ɪndˈɪfɹəns/
B2
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
lack of interest or concern
A feeling of not caring or not being interested in something.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s indifference to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'indifference' with 'difference'. 'Indifference' means not caring, while 'difference' means not being the same.
Synonyms
apathy (Stronger connotation of emotional numbness or lack of motivation.)
|
unconcern (Neutral tone, simply not being worried or interested.)
Antonyms
interest (Shows active attention or curiosity, opposite of not caring.)
|
concern (Implies caring or worrying about something.)
Collocations
complete indifference
|public indifference
|show indifference
|indifference to suffering
|indifference towards
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His indifference to the team's victory surprised everyone.
- The government's indifference to climate change angered activists.
- She met his confession with complete indifference.
- Public indifference allowed the policy to pass without protest.
Learner examples
- I was hurt by his indifference to my problems.
- The teacher saw the students' indifference to the lesson.
- Her indifference made him feel sad.
- They showed indifference to the news.
Noun
C1
property
2
mediocre or unremarkable quality
When something is not very good and not very bad; just okay.
Usage pattern:
the indifference of [something]
Synonyms
mediocrity (Implies an unremarkable, average quality.)
|
averageness (Neutral term for moderate quality.)
Antonyms
excellence (High quality, the opposite of mediocrity.)
|
superiority (Being better in quality or status.)
Collocations
artistic indifference
|critical indifference
Themes
evaluation
|quality
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The food was served with a certain indifference that matched its bland taste.
- Critics noted the film's visual beauty but complained about the indifference of its storytelling.
- Her performance showed a troubling indifference that disappointed her fans.
Learner examples
- The movie was okay, but I felt some indifference in the acting.
- The book had nice pictures but some indifference in the story.
- He spoke with indifference about his work.
Grammar
Dictionary form
indifference
IPA
GB/ɪndˈɪfɹəns/
US/ɪndˈɪfɹəns/
Syllables & stress
in - dif - fer - ence (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (dif)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: indifference
- Plural: indifference
Word family
Core family
indifferent
adjective B1
indifferently
adverb
Related words
Advanced or less common
differentiate
verb B2
differentiation
noun B2
Expressions
a look of indifference
1/ə lˈʊk əv ɪndˈɪfɹəns/
fixed phrase
unconcerned facial expression
A face that shows no interest or care about something.
Examples
- He gave me a look of indifference when I asked for help.
- Her look of indifference made it clear she didn't want to join the discussion.
feign indifference
1/fˈeɪn ɪndˈɪfɹəns/
fixed phrase
pretend not to care
To act like you do not care, even if you do.
Examples
- She tried to feign indifference when she saw her ex-boyfriend.
- He feigned indifference to hide his excitement.
with indifference
1/wˈɪθ ɪndˈɪfɹəns/
fixed phrase
in an unconcerned way
In a way that shows you do not care or are not interested.
Examples
- She accepted the news with indifference.
- He greeted them with indifference, as if they were strangers.