dis|in´ter|est´ed|ness

dis|in|ter|est|ed «dihs IHN tuhr uhs tihd, -trihs-; -tuh _REHS-», adjective.

1. free from selfish motives; impartial; fair: »

An umpire makes disinterested decisions. Never have statesmen needed so much the disinterested wisdom which a philosophic temper alone can give (Manchester Guardian).

SYNONYM(S): unbiased, unprejudiced.

2. not interested; unconcerned; uninterested: »

A disinterested pupil can spoil a class. He was tired, preoccupied, disinterested (Dayton Rommel).

–dis|in´ter|est´ed|ly, adverb.

–dis|in´ter|est´ed|ness, noun.

Usage Disinterested and uninterested can be used to make a useful distinction of meaning. Uninterested means having no concern about the matter and paying no attention: »

I find it difficult to entertain anyone so uninterested in everything I suggest doing.

In careful usage, disinterested means having no reason or desire to be anything but strictly impartial and fair: »

A judge should be disinterested.

Increasingly, however, disinterested is being used with the meaning of uninterested. Because of this, it is wise to make sure that context makes the intended meaning of disinterested unmistakable.