disinterest
Americannoun
-
lack of interest; indifference.
-
the absence of bias or self-interest; impartiality.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
freedom from bias or involvement
-
lack of interest; indifference
verb
Etymology
Origin of disinterest
Explanation
Disinterest is a lack of curiosity or attachment, like your complete disinterest in your younger sister's scene-by-scene recap of the plot of her favorite cartoon. One kind of disinterest is simply a lack of enthusiasm, like your disinterest in sports or local politics: you just don't care. Another kind of disinterest is more of a neutrality or impartiality. A mediator, judge, or negotiator needs this type of disinterest in order to hear two opposing viewpoints without prejudice. Disinterest comes from the prefix dis-, "lack of," and interest, from the Latin interresse, "to concern, make a difference, or be of importance."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Friday’s softer-than-expected CPI reading, which showed the lowest reading for core inflation pressures in nearly five years, is the latest example of the market’s growing disinterest in economic data.
From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026
“It is clear that persistent failures like this are born out of this Board’s lack of experience in creative businesses, disinterest in product development and quality, and focus on short-term, self-interested priorities,” he continued.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026
Describing “Tron: Ares” as a box office flop is an understatement – more like, it crashed into the public’s disinterest and burst into thousands of tiny cubes.
From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025
Johnson feels the claims of disinterest are unfair.
From BBC • Nov. 12, 2025
I was trying to think of some response when he looked away in disinterest.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
