uninterested

adjective

un·​in·​ter·​est·​ed

ˌən-ˈin-t(ə-)rə-stəd;

-ˈin-tə-ˌre- 

-ˈin-ˌtre-;

-ˈin-tər-

: not interested : not having the mind or feelings engaged

Disinterested vs. Uninterested: Usage Guide

Confusion about the meanings of disinterested and uninterested is longstanding and may be due to their tangled histories. When disinterested and uninterested entered the language in the 17th century, disinterested meant "not interested" and uninterested meant "not biased." Since then, the situation has all but reversed itself. Uninterested now means only "not interested."

uninterested in attending

Disinterested can mean either "not biased" or "not interested," but is most commonly used to mean "not biased."

the need for a disinterested referee

However, disinterested is more common than uninterested in contexts that suggest a loss of interest.

when I grow tired or disinterested in anything, I experience a disgust

—Jack London, letter, 1914

Still, use of the "not interested" sense of disinterested will incur the disapproval of some who may not fully appreciate the history of this word or the subtleties of its present use.

Synonyms of uninterested

• nonchalant
• casual
• disinterested

Examples of uninterested in a Sentence

the teacher decided to make a career change after having to teach yet another class of uninterested teens

Recent Examples on the Web

Since lower rates are directly tied to demand in a name like that (think Club name Home Depot ), then rates really are a concern meaningful enough to keep us uninterested. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Verity on the whole, with its shoulder-shrug of an ending, seems dismayingly uninterested in actually giving us a good story. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

For some, the experience seemed to reinforce their feeling that the political system is broken — or, at least, uninterested in them. — Esther King, The Dial, 15 Sep. 2026

Moore’s Mona Friedman is indeed a familiar figure, a shy and impressionable wife who quietly nods along at dinner, lets people cut in front of her at the store, and seems generally uninterested in sticking up for herself. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for uninterested

• disinterested
• interested

Kids Definition

uninterested

adjective

un·​in·​ter·​est·​ed

ˌən-ˈint-ə-ˌres-təd, 

ˈən-;

-ˈin-trəs-, 

-ˌtres-;

-ˈint-ərs-, 

-ˈint-ə-rəs-

: not interested : not paying attention