Dictionary

apathy

noun ap·a·thy \ˈa-pə-thē\

: the feeling of not having much emotion or interest : an apathetic state

Full Definition of APATHY

1
:  lack of feeling or emotion :  impassiveness
2
:  lack of interest or concern :  indifference
ADVERTISEMENT

Examples of APATHY

  1. That's the danger of a teeming cast of … characters: they get jumbled in the viewer's mind, and … apathy ensues. Novels can afford a rich banquet of personalities; it's what readers sign up for. But ratiocination isn't welcome in modern movies, which prefer visceral impact over intellect. —Richard Corliss, Time, 20 Oct. 2008

Origin of APATHY

Greek apatheia, from apathēs without feeling, from a- + pathos emotion — more at pathos
First Known Use: 1594

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal
APATHY Defined for Kids

apathy

noun ap·a·thy \ˈa-pə-thē\

Definition of APATHY for Kids

:  lack of feeling or of interest :  indifference <The trip was canceled because of student apathy.>
Medical Dictionary

apathy

noun ap·a·thy \ˈap-ə-thē\
plural ap·a·thies

Medical Definition of APATHY

:  lack of feeling or emotion

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: apatitePrevious Word in the Dictionary: apathogenicAll Words Near: apathy
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears