disinterested
diss-IN-truh-sted
/dɪsˈɪntrəstɪd/
Not influenced by considerations of personal advantage; unbiased.
This is one of the most frequently misused words in English. It does NOT mean 'bored' or 'uninterested'. It means you have no 'stake' in the outcome.
The story behind the word. From 'dis-' (not) and 'interest' (from Latin 'inter-esse', to be between/to matter). If something 'interests' you, it matters to you personally. To be 'disinterested' is to have no personal matter at stake.
Word relationships
- unbiased: Unbiased is a general term; disinterested specifically implies you have nothing to gain personally.
- interested: In a legal sense, an 'interested party' is someone who stands to gain or lose something.
Commonly confused with
- uninterested: Uninterested means bored; disinterested means impartial.
Word family
- disinterest (noun): Impartiality.
Collocations
- disinterested observer
- disinterested advice
- disinterested party
Example sentences
- "A banker should be a disinterested counselor to both the buyer and the seller." Legal Ethics
- "The scientist's disinterested pursuit of truth was admired by all her peers." Academic Research
Memory hook
Think: 'Dis-interest' = 'No-interest' in the profit. You don't care who wins because you don't get paid either way. No skin in the game.
When not to use
Never use this to mean 'bored' or 'not interested'. Use 'uninterested' for that.
Fun facts
- Many modern dictionaries now list 'uninterested' as a secondary meaning for 'disinterested' because of how often they are confused, but in formal writing and exams, the distinction is strictly maintained.
Related words
Explore more words
unbiased, impartial, indifferent, neutral, altruistic, apathetic
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