# uninterested

/əˈnɪntɹəstɪd/ (US) · /ʌnˈɪntəɹəstɪd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/uninterested
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

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

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The judge was uninterested in the case." but "The judge was disinterested in the case." — Learners confuse 'uninterested' (bored/indifferent) with 'disinterested' (impartial/neutral).

## Usage notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.