Word of the day · 12 July 2026
disinterested
/dɪsˈɪntrəstɪd/
adjective
Unbiased and impartial; not influenced by personal stake or private gain.
In a sentence
- They asked a disinterested mediator to review the contract.
- A disinterested reading of the data still supported the claim.
- She wanted disinterested advice, not a sales pitch.
In an image
Origin
From dis- (apart, not) plus interested in the older sense of having a stake; related to interest as a share or concern.
History
People look this up because disinterested and uninterested collide in everyday speech. In careful use, disinterested means impartial: a disinterested referee has no side to favor. Uninterested means bored or not curious. Both senses of disinterested have appeared in English over time, which keeps the confusion alive. For clarity in news and law, keep the unbiased meaning and save uninterested for lack of care.
Nearby words
impartial · unbiased · neutral
Not the same as uninterested: fair because you have nothing to win.