Indifferent vs. Indifference — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 18, 2024
Indifferent describes a lack of interest or concern, while indifference is the state or quality of being indifferent. The former is an adjective; the latter, a noun.
Difference Between Indifferent and Indifference
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Key Differences
Indifferent is used to describe an attitude or feeling of someone who shows no particular interest or concern about something. This can apply to people's reactions towards various situations, ranging from social issues to personal preferences. Whereas, indifference refers to the actual state or quality that embodies this lack of concern or interest. It's more about the general disposition or the way someone inherently feels about the world around them.
Indifferent can also imply a level of neutrality or detachment from a situation, suggesting that the person does not lean strongly towards any particular outcome. This could be due to a lack of knowledge, understanding, or simply an emotional disconnection. On the other hand, indifference can encompass a broader spectrum of disengagement, not just limited to specific instances but as a more pervasive aspect of someone’s personality or outlook on life.
In practice, someone might describe themselves as feeling indifferent towards a choice, such as where to eat, indicating a temporary state of mind. Indifference, in contrast, might be used to describe their overall attitude towards food, signifying a deeper, more ingrained lack of passion or interest.
When people are accused of being indifferent, it often carries a negative connotation, suggesting they should perhaps care more than they do. However, when speaking of indifference, the term can sometimes simply denote a philosophical or personal stance of detachment from material or emotional investments without necessarily implying a moral failing.
In some contexts, being indifferent can be seen as beneficial, such as being indifferent to criticism, which implies resilience and emotional stability. Meanwhile, a culture or society characterized by indifference might be criticized for lacking empathy and community spirit, highlighting how these concepts play differently at individual versus collective levels.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Noun
Usage
Describes a person's attitude
Refers to a state or quality
Context
Often specific situations
More general or broad in scope
Connotation
Can be neutral or negative
Generally seen as negative
Implication
Temporary or situational detachment
A more permanent or pervasive state
Compare with Definitions
Indifferent
Neutral, neither good nor bad.
The performance was indifferent.
Indifference
Emotional detachment.
Indifference in his voice was clear.
Indifferent
Showing no preference.
She was indifferent about the movie options.
Indifference
Lack of interest or concern.
Indifference to global issues is widespread.
Indifferent
Mediocre, neither good nor poor.
The quality of the food was indifferent.
Indifference
Unresponsiveness to stimuli.
The patient showed indifference to pain.
Indifferent
Unbiased, impartial.
The judge needs to remain indifferent.
Indifference
The state of not caring.
His indifference to her feelings hurt the most.
Indifferent
Not interested or concerned.
He seemed indifferent to the news.
Indifference
Apathy towards something.
The city’s indifference to the problem was alarming.
Indifferent
Having no particular interest or concern; apathetic
A person who is indifferent to the sufferings of others.
Indifference
Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy
She shrugged, feigning indifference
Indifferent
Having no marked feeling for or against
She remained indifferent toward their proposal.
Indifference
Mediocrity
The indifference of Chelsea's midfield
Indifferent
Not mattering one way or the other; unimportant; immaterial
It's indifferent which outfit you choose.
Indifference
The state or quality of being indifferent.
Indifferent
Characterized by a lack of partiality; unbiased
An indifferent judge.
Indifference
The state of being indifferent.
Indifferent
Being neither too much nor too little; moderate
"Specialist rectifiers ... raised brandies of indifferent strength to the desired strength by further distillations" (L.M. Cullen).
Indifference
Unbiased impartiality.
Indifferent
Being neither good nor bad; mediocre
An indifferent performance.
Indifference
A lack of enthusiasm.
Indifferent
Not active or involved; neutral
An indifferent chemical in a reaction.
Indifference
Unconcerned nonchalance.
Indifferent
(Biology) Undifferentiated, as cells or tissue.
Indifference
(philosophy) Self-identity defined through the negation of difference, non-difference.
Indifferent
Ambivalent; unconcerned; uninterested, apathetic.
He was indifferent to the proposal, since it didn’t affect him, either way.
Indifference
The quality or state of being indifferent, or not making a difference; lack of sufficient importance to constitute a difference; absence of weight; insignificance.
Indifferent
Indicating or reflecting a lack of concern or care.
She responded with an indifferent shrug.
Indifference
Passableness; mediocrity.
Indifferent
Mediocre (usually used negatively in modern usage).
The long distance and the indifferent roads made the journey impossible.
The performance of Blue Jays has been indifferent this season.
Indifference
Impartiality; freedom from prejudice, prepossession, or bias.
He . . . is far from such indifference and equity as ought and must be in judges which he saith I assign.
Indifferent
Having no preference.
I am indifferent between the two plans.
Indifference
Absence of anxiety or interest in respect to what is presented to the mind; unconcernedness; as, entire indifference to all that occurs.
Indifference can not but be criminal, when it is conversant about objects which are so far from being of an indifferent nature, that they are highest importance.
Indifferent
(dated) Unbiased, impartial, judging fairly.
Indifference
Unbiased impartial unconcern
Indifferent
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.
Indifference
Apathy demonstrated by an absence of emotional reactions
Indifferent
(mechanics) Being in the state of neutral equilibrium.
Indifference
The trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally
Indifferent
(obsolete) Not different, matching.
Indifference
The trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern
Indifferent
A person who is indifferent or apathetic.
Indifferent
(obsolete) 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.
Indifferent
(obsolete) Without distinction or preference for some over others.
Indifferent
Not making 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.
Everything in the world is indifferent but sin.
His slightest and most indifferent acts . . . were odious in the clergyman's sight.
Indifferent
Neither particularly good, not very bad; of a middle state or quality; passable; mediocre.
The staterooms are in indifferent order.
Indifferent
Not inclined to one side, party, or choice more than to another; neutral; impartial.
Indifferent in his choice to sleep or die.
Indifferent
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.
Indifferent
Free from bias or prejudice; impartial; unbiased; disinterested.
In choice of committees for ripening business for the counsel, it is better to choose indifferent persons than to make an indifferency by putting in those that are strong on both sides.
Indifferent
To a moderate degree; passably; tolerably.
Indifferent
Marked by a lack of interest;
An apathetic audience
The universe is neither hostile nor friendly; it is simply indifferent
Indifferent
Showing no care or concern in attitude or action;
Indifferent to the sufferings of others
Indifferent to her plea
Indifferent
(usually followed by `to') unwilling or refusing to pay heed;
Deaf to her warnings
Indifferent
(often followed by `to') lacking importance; 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
Indifferent
Fairly poor to not very good;
Has an indifferent singing voice
Has indifferent qualifications for the job
Indifferent
Having only a limited ability to react chemically; not active;
Inert matter
An indifferent chemical in a reaction
Indifferent
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
Indifferent
Characterized by a lack of partiality;
A properly indifferent jury
An unbiased account of her family problems
Indifferent
Neither good nor bad;
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
Indifferent
Neither too great nor too little;
A couple of indifferent hills to climb
Common Curiosities
How does indifference affect relationships?
Indifference can harm relationships by creating a sense of emotional distance and lack of engagement between individuals.
What is indifference?
Indifference is the quality or state of being indifferent, showcasing a general lack of concern or interest.
Is indifference always negative?
While often viewed negatively, in some contexts, indifference can protect individuals from emotional harm or help maintain neutrality.
Can someone be indifferent and still have feelings?
Yes, someone can be indifferent to specific situations while still having feelings and emotions towards other aspects of their lives.
Can indifference be a choice?
Yes, people can choose to be indifferent towards certain things as a coping mechanism or to maintain emotional stability.
Is there a positive side to indifference?
In some cases, indifference can help individuals maintain emotional balance or avoid unnecessary conflict.
What does it mean to be indifferent?
Being indifferent means showing no particular interest or concern about something, being neutral or detached.
What's the difference between being indifferent and disinterested?
Being indifferent means having no particular interest or concern, while being disinterested implies impartiality without personal stake.
Can indifference be a symptom of a deeper issue?
Yes, indifference can sometimes be a symptom of depression, burnout, or other mental health issues.
How does societal indifference impact social issues?
Societal indifference can lead to neglect of important social issues, hindering progress and affecting the well-being of communities.
How is indifference shown?
Indifference can be shown through lack of reaction, disengagement, or avoiding involvement in certain situations.
How does one overcome indifference?
Overcoming indifference might involve finding new interests, engaging more deeply with people or activities, or seeking professional help if it stems from depression.
Does indifference mean you don't care at all?
Indifference means not caring in a particular context or situation, but it doesn't necessarily imply a total lack of care or concern.
What causes a person to become indifferent?
Causes can include repeated disappointments, emotional exhaustion, or a natural disposition towards neutrality.
Can indifference be beneficial in the workplace?
In some cases, being indifferent to office politics or criticism can help maintain focus and reduce stress.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
