INDIFFERENCE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does indifference mean? 

• INDIFFERENCE (noun)
  The noun INDIFFERENCE has 4 senses:

1. unbiased impartial unconcern

2. apathy demonstrated by an absence of emotional reactions

3. the trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally

4. the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern

  Familiarity information: INDIFFERENCE used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INDIFFERENCE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Unbiased impartial unconcern

Classified under:

Nouns denoting feelings and emotions

Hypernyms ("indifference" is a kind of...):

unconcern (a feeling of lack of concern)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "indifference"):

aloofness; distance (indifference by personal withdrawal)

detachment; withdrawal (avoiding emotional involvement)

Derivation:

indifferent (showing no care or concern in attitude or action)

indifferent ((often followed by 'to') lacking importance; not mattering one way or the other)

indifferent (characterized by a lack of partiality)

indifferent (marked by no especial liking or dislike or preference for one thing over another)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Apathy demonstrated by an absence of emotional reactions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting feelings and emotions

Synonyms:

emotionlessness; impassiveness; impassivity; indifference; phlegm; stolidity; unemotionality

Hypernyms ("indifference" is a kind of...):

apathy (an absence of emotion or enthusiasm)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

apathy; indifference; numbness; spiritlessness

Hypernyms ("indifference" is a kind of...):

passiveness; passivity (the trait of remaining inactive; a lack of initiative)

Derivation:

indifferent (marked by a lack of interest)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

indifference; nonchalance; unconcern

Hypernyms ("indifference" is a kind of...):

carefreeness (the trait of being without worry or responsibility)

Derivation:

indifferent (marked by no especial liking or dislike or preference for one thing over another)

 Context examples 

Jekyll had more than a father’s interest; Hyde had more than a son’s indifference.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

And not another word was said; but Fanny felt herself again in danger, and her indifference to the danger was beginning to fail her already.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

“Do just as you please, my dear,” replied Mrs. Allen, with the most placid indifference.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

He listened to her with perfect indifference while she chose to entertain herself in this manner; and as his composure convinced her that all was safe, her wit flowed long.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

By degrees, he acquired a certain influence over me that took away my liberty of mind: his praise and notice were more restraining than his indifference.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Colonel Brandon, unfortunately for himself, had no such encouragement to think only of Marianne, and in conversing with Elinor he found the greatest consolation for the indifference of her sister.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Letters are no matter of indifference; they are generally a very positive curse.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Perhaps indifferent, if indifference could exist under such circumstances.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Her tone expressed her entire indifference; she addressed me in English, and the voice struck me as one that I had heard during my sufferings.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

But the lecture began to take effect, for there was a wide-awake sparkle in his eyes now and a half-angry, half-injured expression replaced the former indifference.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)