disinterest

American  

[dis-in-ter-ist, -trist] / dɪsˈɪn tər ɪst, -trɪst /

noun

1. lack of interest; indifference.

2. the absence of bias or self-interest; impartiality.

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verb (used with object)

1. to divest of interest or concern.

disinterest British  

/ dɪsˈɪntrɪst, -tərɪst /

noun

1. freedom from bias or involvement

2. lack of interest; indifference

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verb

1. (tr) to free from concern for personal interests

Etymology

Origin of disinterest

First recorded in 1605–15; dis- ¹ + interest

Example Sentences

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

The casual word “untitled” was pretty common in art, but it possesses an air of disinterest that seems anathema in the vicinity of a Therrien.

From Los Angeles Times

Depression was assessed through a questionnaire asking about depressed mood, disinterest, restlessness or lethargy during the previous two weeks.

From Science Daily

Johnson feels the claims of disinterest are unfair.

From BBC

One reason for the disinterest, Brettler thinks, was the home’s historic status.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inattention
• indifference
• lethargy