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

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

“It was nihilistic almost in its total disinterest in communicating,” Bessner said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

"The problem is disinterest from all governments since 2011," Zabtia said.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 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

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 • Nov. 25, 2025

Even as Tree-ear turned away, feigning disinterest, as were the other potters, his heart was sinking into a bottomless well.

From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park

Related Words

• inattention
• indifference
• lethargy