indifferent
gb/ɪndˈɪfɹənt/ us/ɪndˈɪfɹənt/
B1
English
~ 3200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Not caring or concerned
Not caring about or interested in something.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is indifferent to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'indifferent' with 'different'. They are unrelated in meaning.
Synonyms
uninterested (Suggests a lack of curiosity or engagement; may be due to boredom rather than deliberate neutrality.)
|
apathetic (Implies a deeper emotional detachment or lack of feeling.)
Antonyms
concerned (Implies caring about or feeling worried about something.)
|
interested (Shows active curiosity or engagement.)
Collocations
remain indifferent
|seem indifferent
|indifferent attitude
|indifferent to criticism
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She seemed indifferent to the outcome of the game.
- He was indifferent to the cold weather and went out without a coat.
- The manager appeared indifferent to the employees’ complaints.
- I tried to get her attention, but she remained indifferent.
- They are indifferent to politics and rarely vote.
Learner examples
- He is indifferent to sports.
- She is indifferent to the news.
- I am indifferent to the food here.
- They are indifferent to the noise.
- We are indifferent to the weather.
adjective
B2
property
2
Of average or poor quality
Not good and not bad; just okay.
Usage pattern:
[something] is indifferent in quality
Synonyms
mediocre (Directly implies average or below-average quality.)
|
so-so (Informal way of saying average quality.)
Antonyms
excellent (Significantly above average in quality.)
|
outstanding (Exceptional and impressive in quality.)
Collocations
indifferent results
|indifferent performance
|indifferent quality
Themes
evaluation
|arts
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The meal was acceptable but rather indifferent.
- Her performance in the play was indifferent compared to last year.
- The service at that restaurant is usually indifferent.
- The book received indifferent reviews from critics.
Learner examples
- The movie was indifferent.
- The food was indifferent.
- His work is indifferent this week.
- The weather is indifferent today.
adjective
B2
property
3
Having no preference between options
Not liking one thing more than another.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is indifferent between [option1] and [option2]
Synonyms
neutral (Not supporting any side in a conflict or choice.)
|
unbiased (Free from personal preference or prejudice.)
Antonyms
partial (Showing preference toward one side or option.)
|
biased (Having an unfair preference for one option over another.)
Collocations
indifferent between two options
|remain indifferent in choice
Themes
decision-making
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I’m indifferent between tea and coffee in the morning.
- She remained indifferent in the dispute between her friends.
- He’s indifferent about which restaurant we choose.
Learner examples
- I am indifferent between pizza and pasta.
- She is indifferent about the game we play.
- He is indifferent about where we go.
Grammar
Dictionary form
indifferent
IPA
GB/ɪndˈɪfɹənt/
US/ɪndˈɪfɹənt/
Syllables & stress
in - dif - fer - ent (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (dif)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: indifferent
Word family
Core family
indifference
noun B2
indifferently
adverb
Expressions
be indifferent to
1/bˈi ɪndˈɪfɹənt tə/
fixed phrase
Not care about something
To not care about something or someone.
Examples
- He is indifferent to other people’s opinions.
- She seemed indifferent to the criticism from her boss.
with indifferent grace
1/wˈɪθ ɪndˈɪfɹənt ɡɹˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
literary
Elegantly but without caring much
Done in a beautiful way but without much feeling or interest.
Examples
- She danced with indifferent grace, as if the contest meant nothing to her.
- He played the piano with indifferent grace, barely looking at the keys.