indifferent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite marked by a lack of interest; it is simply indifferent"
    apathetic.
    • an apathetic audience
    • the universe is neither hostile nor friendly
  2. adjective satellite showing no care or concern in attitude or action
    • indifferent to the sufferings of others
    • indifferent to her plea
  3. adjective satellite (usually followed by `to') unwilling or refusing to pay heed
    deaf.
    • deaf to her warnings
  4. adjective satellite (often followed by `to') lacking importance; not mattering one way or the other
    immaterial.
    • 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
  5. adjective satellite fairly poor to not very good
    • has an indifferent singing voice
    • has indifferent qualifications for the job
  6. adjective satellite having only a limited ability to react chemically; chemically inactive
    neutral; inert.
    • inert matter
    • an indifferent chemical in a reaction
  7. adjective satellite marked by no especial liking or dislike or preference for one thing over another
    • indifferent about which book you would give them
    • was indifferent to their acceptance or rejection of her invitation
  8. adjective satellite characterized by a lack of partiality
    unbiased; unbiassed.
    • a properly indifferent jury
    • an unbiasgoted account of her family problems
  9. adjective satellite being neither good nor bad
    so-so.
    • 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
  10. adjective satellite neither too great nor too little
    • a couple of indifferent hills to climb

WordNet

In*dif"fer*ent adjective
Etymology
F. indifférent, L. indifferens. See In- not, and Different.
Definitions
  1. Not maling a difference; having no influence or preponderating weight; involving no preference, concern, or attention; of no account; without significance or importance.
    Dangers are to me indifferent. Shak.
    Everything in the world is indifferent but sin. Jer. Taylor.
    His slightest and most indifferent acts . . . were odious in the clergyman's sight. Hawthorne.
  2. Neither particularly good, not very bad; of a middle state or quality; passable; mediocre.
    The staterooms are in indifferent order. Sir W. Scott.
  3. Not inclined to one side, party, or choice more than to another; neutral; impartial.
    Indifferent in his choice to sleep or die. Addison.
  4. Feeling no interest, anxiety, or care, respecting anything; unconcerned; inattentive; apathetic; heedless; as, to be indifferent to the welfare of one's family.
    It was a law of Solon, that any person who, in the civil commotions of the republic, remained neuter, or an indifferent spectator of the contending parties, should be condemned to perpetual banishment. Addison.
  5. (Law) Free from bias or prejudice; impartial; unbiased; disinterested.
    In choice of committees for ripening business for the counsel, it is better indifferent persons than to make an indifferency by putting in those that are strong on both sides. Bacon.
In*dif"fer*ent adverb
Definitions
  1. To a moderate degree; passably; tolerably. Obs. "News indifferent good." Shak.

Webster 1913