indifferent

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Ambivalent

   Ambivalent; unconcerned; uninterested, apathetic.

   • He was indifferent to the proposal, since it didn’t affect him, either way.
2. 2

   Indicating or reflecting a lack of concern or care.

   • She responded with an indifferent shrug.
   • Donald appeared not to see her at all, and answered her wise little remarks with curtly indifferent monosyllables […]
   • Then she shrugged, the mildest, most indifferent gesture he had ever seen, and smiled.
3. 3

   Mediocre (usually used negatively in modern usage).

   • The long distance and the indifferent roads made the journey impossible.
   • The Blue Jays' performance has been indifferent this season.
4. ›+ 8 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Having no preference.

      • I am indifferent between the two plans.
      • Let Guilt or Fear / Disturb Man’s Rest: Cato knows neither of ’em, / Indiff’rent in his Choice to sleep or die.
      • The scientific worker aims at knowledge and is quite indifferent whether people like or dislike the knowledge he produces.
   2. 5

      Unbiased, impartial, judging fairly.

   3. 6

      Not making a difference

      Not making a difference; without significance or importance.

      • Even if one appliance consumes an indifferent amount of energy when left on stand-by overnight, together they can represent 10% of the electricity demand of a household.
      • […] But I am arm’d, / And dangers are to me indifferent.
      • [E]very thing in the world is indifferent but sin.
   4. 7

      Being in the state of neutral equilibrium.

   5. 8

      Not different

      Not different; matching.

      • […] let their heads be sleekly comb’d, their blue coats brush’d and their garters of an indifferent knit
   6. 9

      A person who is indifferent or apathetic.

   7. 10

      To some extent, in some degree (intermediate between very and not at all)

      To some extent, in some degree (intermediate between very and not at all); moderately, tolerably, fairly.

      • The face of the Moon appearing to me to be full of indifferent high mountains.
      • Get thee [to] a Nunry, why wouldst thou be a breeder of ſinners, I am my ſelfe indifferent honest, but yet I could accuse mee of ſuch things, that it were better my Mother had not bourne mee […]
   8. 11

      Without distinction or preference for some over others.

The neighborhood

• neighborindifference
• neighborindifferency
• neighborindifferentism
• neighborindifferently