Meaning of indifferent in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ɪnˈdɪf(ə)rənt/

   US accent

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   UK accent

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1. Classifying Adjective

   indifferent

   Definitions

   1. marked by a lack of interest

   Examples

   • « an apathetic audience »
   • « the universe is neither hostile nor friendly »
   • « it is simply indifferent »

   Synonyms

   • uninterested
2. 2. showing no care or concern in attitude or action

   Examples

   • « indifferent to the sufferings of others »
   • « indifferent to her plea »

   Synonyms

   • unconcerned
3. 3. (often followed by `to') lacking importance

   Examples

   • « not mattering one way or the other »
   • « whether you choose to do it or not is a matter that is quite immaterial (or indifferent) »
   • « what others think is altogether indifferent to him »

   Synonyms

   • unimportant
4. 4. fairly poor to not very good

   Examples

   • « has an indifferent singing voice »
   • « has indifferent qualifications for the job »

   Synonyms

   • inferior
5. 5. having only a limited ability to react chemically

   Examples

   • « not active »
   • « inert matter »
   • « an indifferent chemical in a reaction »

   Synonyms

   • unreactive
6. 6. marked by no especial liking or dislike or preference for one thing over another

   Examples

   • « indifferent about which book you would give them »
   • « was indifferent to their acceptance or rejection of her invitation »

   Synonyms

   • impartial
   • fair
7. 7. characterized by a lack of partiality

   Examples

   • « a properly indifferent jury »
   • « an unbiased account of her family problems »

   Synonyms

   • impartial
   • fair
8. 8. neither good nor bad

   Examples

   • « an indifferent performance »
   • « a gifted painter but an indifferent actor »
   • « her work at the office is passable »
   • « a so-so golfer »
   • « feeling only so-so »
   • « prepared a tolerable dinner »
   • « a tolerable working knowledge of French »

   Synonyms

   • ordinary
9. 9. neither too great nor too little

   Examples

   • « a couple of indifferent hills to climb »

   Synonyms

   • moderate