Close in meaning

Disinterested vs. Uninterested

Disinterested traditionally means fair and impartial, with nothing to gain. Uninterested means not interested, or bored. A referee should be disinterested; a child at a long lecture may be uninterested.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
disinterested	adjective	not influenced by personal gain; fair and impartial
uninterested	adjective	not interested in something; bored or not caring about it

Disinterested

adjective: not influenced by personal gain; fair and impartial

The two neighbors asked a disinterested friend to settle the argument.
A disinterested referee has no reason to favor either team.

Uninterested

adjective: not interested in something; bored or not caring about it

My brother is completely uninterested in sports.
The kids seemed uninterested until the magician came out.

How to remember the difference

Dis- as in distance: a disinterested person keeps their distance and takes no side. Un- as in unexcited: an uninterested person just doesn't care.

Good to know

Disinterested is also widely used to mean not interested, and major dictionaries list that sense, which is actually older. Still, many editors, teachers and style guides frown on it. To be safe, use disinterested for impartial and uninterested for bored.

Spot the mistake

The students were ~~disinterested~~ uninterested in the film, so most of them fell asleep.
Correct: The students were uninterested in the film, so most of them fell asleep.

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. We need a expert who has no ties to either company.

2. The puppy was in its food and just wanted to play.