What's the Difference Between 'Disinterested' and 'Uninterested'?
In this blog post we look at when to use disinterested and when to use uninterested.
'Disinterested' or 'Uninterested'?
"Disinterested" and "uninterested" are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings.
"Disinterested" means not influenced by considerations of personal advantage or bias. It can be used to describe a person who is neutral or unbiased in a particular situation, or to describe a person who does not stand to gain or lose anything from a particular outcome.
On the other hand, "uninterested" means not interested or having no interest in something. It can be used to describe a person who lacks curiosity or enthusiasm about a particular subject or activity.
In general, it is important to be aware of the difference between these two terms, as using the wrong word can change the meaning of your statement.
The words "disinterested" and "uninterested" have been used in English for hundreds of years and have undergone several changes in meaning over time.
Originally, both words meant the same thing: not interested or having no interest in something. However, in the 18th century, the word "disinterested" began to be used to mean not influenced by considerations of personal advantage or bias. This new meaning of "disinterested" was derived from the word's Latin roots, which literally mean "apart from interest."
Since then, both "disinterested" and "uninterested" have been used to describe people who lack interest in a particular subject or activity. However, "disinterested" has also taken on the additional meaning of being neutral or unbiased in a particular situation.
Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between “disinterested” and “uninterested”:
Disinterested:
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The judge in the case was disinterested, meaning that she did not have any personal stake in the outcome and made her decisions based on the facts presented.
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The mediator in the dispute was disinterested, meaning that she did not have any personal feelings about either side and worked to find a fair resolution.
Uninterested:
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The student was uninterested in the lecture, meaning that he was not paying attention and did not have any desire to learn about the topic.
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The child was uninterested in the toy, meaning that he did not show any excitement or desire to play with it.
Examples of Disinterested in a Sentence
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The board appointed a disinterested third party to conduct the investigation.
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As an impartial observer, he was able to offer a disinterested perspective on the matter.
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The disinterested witness testified in court about what she saw on the day of the incident.
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The disinterested scientist conducted the experiment with no preconceived notions about the outcome.
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The disinterested investor looked at the company's financials objectively before deciding whether to invest.
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The disinterested lawyer gave her client honest advice about their options.
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The disinterested judge ruled on the case based solely on the evidence presented.
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The disinterested board member abstained from voting on the proposal.
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The disinterested auditor reviewed the company's financial records without any bias.
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The disinterested observer took detailed notes during the meeting to provide an accurate record.
Examples of Uninterested in a Sentence
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The couple seemed uninterested in each other, barely speaking or interacting during their date.
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The job candidate was uninterested in the position, declining the offer after a brief interview.
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The audience appeared uninterested in the speaker, with many people checking their phones or chatting with each other during the presentation.
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The store clerk was uninterested in helping the customer, giving short, rude responses to her questions.
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The man was uninterested in the conversation, barely contributing and appearing distracted.
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The cat was uninterested in the toy, ignoring it completely and walking away.
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The athlete was uninterested in the press conference, answering questions with short, monosyllabic responses.
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The politician was uninterested in the journalist's questions, avoiding answering and changing the subject.
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The guest was uninterested in the host's stories, barely responding or showing any signs of engagement.
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The employee was uninterested in the company's goals, showing a lack of motivation and not participating in team meetings.
