English Reference
Adjective

uninterested

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /əˈnɪntɹəstɪd/ UK /ʌnˈɪntəɹəstɪd/ un·in·ter·est·ed

adj.not feeling any interest or curiosity about something. You use this when you simply do not care about a topic or activity.

adj.lacking interest, curiosity, or concern; indifferent. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'seem' or 'appear'.


SIMPLE

He looked completely uninterested in the movie.

CONTEXTUAL

The students seemed uninterested in the lecture until the professor started sharing personal stories.

COMPLEX

Despite the high stakes of the negotiation, the lead diplomat appeared strangely uninterested, barely glancing at the documents presented by the opposing side.

Usage

Often follows linking verbs such as 'be', 'seem', or 'look'. Frequently takes the preposition 'in'.

Don't confuse

uninterested vs disinterested — Disinterested means you have no personal stake in the outcome; uninterested means you find the subject boring.

Pitfall
The judge was uninterested in the case.The judge was disinterested in the case.

Learners confuse 'uninterested' (bored/indifferent) with 'disinterested' (impartial/neutral).

Evans is even-handed, but there is little here to make the reader warm to Edward – an entitled, selfish man uninterested in the wishes of others.

BreakingNews.ie· 22 Aug 2026

From un- + interested.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated