different between heartless vs apathetic

English

Etymology

From Middle English hertles, herteles, from Old English heortl?as (“without courage; listless”), equivalent to heart +? -less.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?h??t.l?s/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?h??t.l?s/
• Hyphenation: heart?less

Adjective

heartless (comparative more heartless, superlative most heartless)

1. (obsolete) Without courage; fearful, cowardly. [10th–19th c.]
   • 1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, II.iii.7:

     Cecilia then, though almost heartless, resolved upon talking with Mr. Harrel himself […].

2. (now rare) Listless, unenthusiastic. [from 14th c.]
3. Without a physical heart. [from 15th c.]
4. Without feeling, emotion, or concern for others; uncaring. [from 16th c.]

   His heartless actions and cold manner left her saddened and feeling alone.

Derived terms

• heartlessly
• heartlessness

Translations

Anagrams

• Earthless, earthless, hartlesse, shearlets

English

Alternative forms

• apathetical

Etymology

apathy +? -etic

Pronunciation

• (General American, Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /æp.????t.?k/
• Rhymes: -?t?k

Adjective

apathetic (comparative more apathetic, superlative most apathetic)

1. Void of feeling; not susceptible of deep emotion

   Synonyms: passionless, indifferent

2. Of, or pertaining to apatheism.

Synonyms

• incurious, indifferent, impassive
• See also: Thesaurus:calm

Related terms

• apatheism
• apatheist

Translations

References

• apathetic in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.