1
Lacking concern
Showing little interest in or sympathy toward an issue that others consider important.
Example
The committee seemed indifferent to the concerns raised by residents.
indifferent
/ɪnˈdɪfərənt/ · in-DIF-uh-ruhntadjective
Without interest, concern, or preference; unaffected.
Use indifferent when a person shows no concern or when an organism or process responds equally to different conditions.
What indifferent Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Having no preference
Regarding two or more alternatives as equally acceptable.
Example
The survey found that many respondents were indifferent between the two designs.
3
Unaffected by a variable
Responding similarly under different environmental or experimental conditions.
Example
The species appears indifferent to soil type, growing equally well in sand and clay.
Use indifferent Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The committee seemed indifferent to the concerns raised by residents.
The species appears indifferent to soil type, growing equally well in sand and clay.
Consumers were largely indifferent to the packaging change, and sales remained stable.
Precision Matters
Indifferent overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
indifferent
vs.Can indicate no preference or no response as well as lack of concern.
apathetic
Specifically suggests little motivation, enthusiasm, or emotional engagement.
indifferent
vs.May describe experimental insensitivity to a variable.
unconcerned
Primarily describes a person who is not worried or interested.
indifferent
vs.Often concerns absence of interest, preference, or response.
neutral
Means not taking a side and may reflect deliberate impartiality.
indifferent
vs.Has no strong feeling or preference.
ambivalent
Has competing positive and negative feelings.
Test indifferent in Context
The plant's growth is unaffected by which soil is used.
1
Because the species grew at nearly identical rates in sand, clay, and loam, the researchers concluded that it was largely ___ to soil type.