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

Disinterested and uninterested have a tangled history. Uninterested originally meant impartial, but this sense fell into disuse during the 18th century. About the same time the original sense of disinterested also disappeared, with uninterested developing a new sense—the present meaning—to take its place. The original sense of uninterested is still out of use, but the original sense of disinterested revived in the early 20th century. The revival has since been under frequent attack as an illiteracy and a blurring or loss of a useful distinction. Actual usage shows otherwise. The "free from selfish interest" sense of disinterested is still its most frequent sense, especially in edited prose; it shows no sign of vanishing. Further, disinterested has developed an additional sense—"no longer interested"—perhaps influenced by the "deprive of" sense of the prefix dis-, that contrasts with uninterested.

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

—Jack London, letter, 1914

Still, use of the "not interested" and "no longer interested" senses 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

• apathetic
• casual
• complacent
• disinterested
• incurious
• indifferent
• insensible
• insouciant
• nonchalant
• perfunctory
• pococurante
• unconcerned
• uncurious

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

According to Crombie, Bong was uninterested in the logic of gravity and who was flying the ship. —Abigail Lee, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025

These dissenters, who have been the scant liberal signs of life, are clearly uninterested in Carville’s play-dead strategy. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025

Chris Pratt as Andy Dwyer Chris Pratt played Andy Dwyer, a dimwitted slacker who ends up working at the Parks and Recreation Department despite being unqualified and uninterested. —Keith Langston, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025

This is particularly concerning considering that the cybersecurity industry, broadly, remains uninterested in servicing the SME market appropriately despite their significant economic impact. —Jamie Akhtar, Forbes, 19 Feb. 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