indifferent

indifferent [in dif′ər ənt, indif′rənt]

adj.

[OFr < L indifferens: see IN-² & DIFFERENT]

1. having or showing no partiality, bias, or preference; neutral

2. having or showing no interest, concern, or feeling; uninterested, apathetic, or unmoved

3. of no consequence or importance; immaterial

4. not particularly good or bad, large or small, right or wrong, etc.; fair, average, etc.

5. not really good; rather poor or bad

6. neutral in quality, as a chemical, magnet, etc.; inactive: chiefly in scientific use

7. capable of developing in various ways, as the cells of an embryo that are not yet specialized; undifferentiated

indifferently

adv.

SYN.- INDIFFERENT implies either apathy or neutrality, esp. with reference to choice [to remain indifferent in a dispute ]; UNCONCERNED implies a lack of concern, solicitude, or anxiety, as because of callousness, ingenuousness, etc. [to remain unconcerned in a time of danger ]; INCURIOUS suggests a lack of interest or curiosity [incurious about the details ]; DETACHED implies an impartiality or aloofness resulting from a lack of emotional involvement in a situation [he viewed the struggle with detached interest ]; DISINTERESTED strictly implies a commendable impartiality resulting from a lack of selfish motive or desire for personal gain [a disinterested journalist ], but it is now often used colloquially to mean not interested, or indifferent