APATHETIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does apathetic mean? 

• APATHETIC (adjective)
  The adjective APATHETIC has 2 senses:

1. showing little or no emotion or animation

2. marked by a lack of interest

  Familiarity information: APATHETIC used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• APATHETIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Showing little or no emotion or animation

Context example:

a woman who became active rather than apathetic as she grew older

Similar:

spiritless (lacking ardor or vigor or energy)

Derivation:

apathy (the trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally)

apathy (an absence of emotion or enthusiasm)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Marked by a lack of interest

Synonyms:

apathetic; indifferent

Context example:

the universe is neither hostile nor friendly; it is simply indifferent

Similar:

uninterested (not having or showing interest)

Derivation:

apathy (the trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally)

apathy (an absence of emotion or enthusiasm)

 Context examples 

Is the patient apathetic or indifferent?

(NPI - Lost Interest in the World Around Him/Her, NCI Thesaurus)

During the walk Ruth and Martin held little conversation. She was stunned. He was apathetic.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Lord Ingram, like his sisters, is very tall; like them, also, he is handsome; but he shares Mary's apathetic and listless look: he seems to have more length of limb than vivacity of blood or vigour of brain.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)