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

Netflix is an ironic home for a swoony love letter to cinema; the streamer remains fairly uninterested in the theatrical experience. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025

Many people inside Rogers Centre left their seats promptly, uninterested in watching the Dodgers celebrate on Toronto’s home field after winning a second consecutive title. —Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025

High school graduates uninterested in traditional campus life view SOAR™ as a flexible, lower-cost alternative. —Jason Phillips, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Only four hundred are still detained, Pinochet assured him, which wasn’t true, but Kissinger seemed uninterested in the numbers. —Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025

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