Indifference

/ɪnˈdɪfrəns/ noun

Definition

Indifference is a lack of interest, care, or concern about something. An indifferent person doesn’t feel strongly one way or the other.

Etymology

It comes from Latin “indifferentia,” from “in-” (not) and “differentia” (difference). The idea was that something indifferent doesn’t stand out as better or worse, so you don’t care much about it.

Kelly Says

Indifference isn’t the same as hatred—it’s the *absence* of feeling, like emotional zero. Psychologists sometimes say that indifference can hurt more than anger, because it makes someone feel invisible. The word literally suggests that nothing about the thing seems different enough to matter.

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