disinterested
[ dis-in-tuh-res-tid, -tri-stid ]
/ dɪsˈɪn təˌrɛs tɪd, -trɪ stɪd /
adjective
unbiased by personal interest or advantage; not influenced by selfish motives: a disinterested decision by the referee.
not interested; indifferent.
Origin of disinterested
First recorded in 1605–15;
dis-1 +
interested
SYNONYMS FOR disinterested
usage note for disinterested
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.
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.
OTHER WORDS FROM disinterested
dis·in·ter·est·ed·ly, adverb dis·in·ter·est·ed·ness, noun non·dis·in·ter·est·ed, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH disinterested
disinterested uninterested (see usage note at the current entry)Words nearby disinterested
disintegrate,
disintegration,
disintegration constant,
disinter,
disinterest,
disinterested,
disintermediation,
disintoxication,
disinvent,
disinvest,
disinvestment
Example sentences from the Web for disinterestedness
British Dictionary definitions for disinterestedness
disinterested
/ (dɪsˈɪntrɪstɪd, -tərɪs-) /
adjective
free from bias or partiality; objective
not interested
Derived forms of disinterested
disinterestedly, adverb disinterestedness, nounusage for disinterested
Many people consider that the use of
disinterested to mean not interested is incorrect and that
uninterested should be used