disinterested

American  

[dis-in-tuh-res-tid, -tri-stid] / dɪsˈɪn təˌrɛs tɪd, -trɪ stɪd /

adjective

1. unbiased by personal interest or advantage; not influenced by selfish motives.

   a disinterested decision by the referee.

   Synonyms:

   dispassionate, unprejudiced, neutral, impartial

   Antonyms:

   biased, partial

2. not interested; indifferent.

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disinterested British  

/ -tərɪs-, dɪsˈɪntrɪstɪd /

adjective

1. free from bias or partiality; objective

2. not interested

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Usage

Many people consider that the use of disinterested to mean not interested is incorrect and that uninterested should be used

Commonly Confused

Disinterested and uninterested share a confused and confusing history. Disinterested was originally used to mean “not interested, indifferent”; uninterested in its earliest use meant “impartial.” By various developmental twists, disinterested is now used in both senses. Uninterested is used mainly in the sense “not interested, indifferent.” It is occasionally used to mean “not having a personal or property interest.” Many object to the use of disinterested to mean “not interested, indifferent.” They insist that disinterested can mean only “impartial”: A disinterested observer is the best judge of behavior. However, both senses are well established in all varieties of English, and the sense intended is almost always clear from the context.

Related Words

See fair ¹.

Other Word Forms

• disinterestedly adverb
• disinterestedness noun
• nondisinterested adjective

Etymology

Origin of disinterested

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

Explanation

If you can't decide whether to purchase the shirt with orange polka dots or the purple paisley-patterned one, you might seek input from a disinterested, or unbiased, party (who will probably tell you not to buy either one). Depending on whom you ask, disinterested is either one of the most commonly misused words in the English language, or a perfect example of usage experts and English teachers being way too uptight. While everyone agrees that disinterested can mean “unbiased,” the debate rages on as to whether it can also mean “uninterested” or “indifferent.” Sticklers are vehemently opposed to this secondary meaning. (Of course, you’ll also find the disinterested — or uninterested? — folks who couldn’t care less.)

Example Sentences

The disinterested universe that serves as backdrop to Mr. Diaz’s world imposes no small amount of irony on Magellan’s campaign to convert the natives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

A generation of experience informs regional groups that an attack on the U.S. will only invite an overwhelming American reaction, and so it seems they have been mostly disinterested in poking the bear.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

Albert recalled how there were training sessions when Asprilla was disinterested and "with us without being with us".

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2025

That’s not to say Song is entirely disinterested in genre conventions, only that she regularly finds new and thoughtful ways to approach them.

From Salon • Jun. 14, 2025

Except for this moment, Smith, and Hickock too, affected a courtroom attitude that was simultaneously uninterested and disinterested; they chewed gum and tapped their feet with languid impatience as the state summoned its first witness.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

Related Words

• aloof
• casual
• dispassionate
• impartial
• indifferent
• neutral
• unbiased
• unselfish