Word
uninterested
Phoneticsun·in·ter·est·ed
US/əˈnɪntɹəstɪd/
UK/ʌnˈɪntəɹəstɪd/
Definition
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'.
Examples
“He looked completely uninterested in the movie.”
“The students seemed uninterested in the lecture until the professor started sharing personal stories.”
“Despite the high stakes of the negotiation, the lead diplomat appeared strangely uninterested, barely glancing at the documents presented by the opposing side.”
Examples
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'.
Pitfall
The judge was uninterested in the case.
The judge was disinterested in the case.
Learners confuse 'uninterested' (bored/indifferent) with 'disinterested' (impartial/neutral).
Confusables
Disinterested means you have no personal stake in the outcome; uninterested means you find the subject boring.
RememberDisinterested = Judge. Uninterested = Bored.
Real-World Examples
“A Billion Years of Sex Differences is largely uninterested in such questions.” “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.” Etymology
From un- + interested.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/uninterested