ENGLISH
REFERENCE

disinterested

adj.
C1 Advanced US //dɪˈsɪnɹɪstɪd// UK //dˌɪsˈɪntɹəstɪd// dis·in·ter·est·ed

adj. not having any personal interest or concern in a situation. You use this to describe someone who is fair because they do not benefit from the result.

adj. unbiased or impartial, often in a legal or professional context. Refers to a lack of personal stake or self-interest in a matter.


SIMPLE

The judge was disinterested in the case.

CONTEXTUAL

The committee hired a disinterested third party to ensure the election results were counted fairly.

COMPLEX

A disinterested observer might argue that the policy change was purely a matter of efficiency rather than a calculated attempt to gain political favor.

Etymology 1

From disinterest (“to cause to be impartial”, verb) + -ed (suffix forming past tense or past participle forms of verbs), or from dis- (prefix meaning ‘not’) + interested (“having a stake in; showing interest”, adjective).

Etymology 2

From disinterest + -ed.

© 2026 English Reference