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

The US actor said the cast related to the storyline because they had all "met that disinterest" of young people who "look down at their phone, look up, look down, look up".

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026

Another conviction where they align with Del Toro is their disinterest in engaging with artificial intelligence.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2026

“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

He simply floats by them with peculiar disinterest.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Related Words

• inattention
• indifference
• lethargy