uninterested
Americanadjective
-
having or showing no feeling of interest; indifferent.
-
not personally concerned in something.
- Synonyms:
- unconcerned
adjective
Commonly Confused
See disinterested.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of uninterested
First recorded in 1640–50; un- 1 + interested
Explanation
Uninterested describes someone who doesn't pay attention or care. If you're uninterested in touring old homes and shopping for antiques, you might be bored on vacation with your aunt and her friends. The adjective uninterested is the one you'll use if you really don't care about something. You might be uninterested in the economics textbook chapter you keep trying to read, or uninterested in the celebrity gossip everyone is sharing. Uninterested is like bored. The Latin root word of interest is interresse, or to be of importance. So when something's not important to you, you're uninterested.
Vocabulary lists containing uninterested
Commonly Confused Words, List 3
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Commonly Confused Words, List 9
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List 6
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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.
It seems Sally is uninterested in tempting the fates since for generations those who have fallen in love with members of the Owens family have been cursed to die.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026
Exquadrum took a stab at fundraising on its own, but found investors uninterested in a weapons lab toiling away since the early aughts, and sought acquisition offers from a dozen suitors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026
Most Australians the BBC spoke to were either unaware or uninterested in the couple's visit.
From BBC ● Apr. 18, 2026
Another route to consider is bypassing the uninterested spouse and going instead to adult children or other trusted relatives.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 10, 2026
Ivy knew her voice sounded uninterested, but she couldn’t help it.
From "Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World" by Ashley Herring Blake
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.
