What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
callous
Example
His callous remarks about the homeless showed a lack of compassion. [callous: adjective]
Example
She callously ignored her friend's plea for help. [callously: adverb]
indifferent
Example
He seemed indifferent to the outcome of the game. [indifferent: adjective]
Example
She spoke with an indifferent tone, showing no excitement or enthusiasm. [indifferent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Indifferent is more commonly used than callous in everyday language. Indifferent is versatile and can be used in various contexts to describe a lack of interest or concern. Callous, on the other hand, is less common and carries a stronger negative connotation, often used to describe extreme insensitivity or cruelty.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between callous and indifferent?
Both callous and indifferent can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, callous is generally associated with a more formal tone due to its stronger negative connotation, while indifferent can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
