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disinterested Definition

dis·in·ter·ested (dis in′trəs tid, -int′ər əs tid)

adjective

  1. not influenced by personal interest or selfish motives; impartial; unbiased
  2. uninterested; indifferent: this usage, a revival of an obsolete meaning, is objected to by some

disinterested Related Forms

dis·in′·ter·est·edly adverb dis·in′·ter·est·ed·ness noun

disinterested Synonyms

disinterested

modif.

impartial, unbiased, not involved; see aloof, fair 1, indifferent 1. See syn. study at indifferent.

disinterested Law Definition

adj

Neutral, impartial; lacking a financial interest in, or other predisposition toward, a particular resolution of a controversy or issue.

disinterested Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • totally: He seemed totally disinterested in this breach of privacy.
  • entirely: Nor can specialist translators be expected to be entirely disinterested.
  • completely: While he may be completely disinterested, let him have the chance to be a part of the decision.
  • so: In fact, the new owners were so disinterested in the waterway that the canal didn't even have a head office.
  • not: Of course not: impact is what matters, not facts; tub-thumping, not disinterested judgment.
  • increasingly: During the second half, as the Swindon players had asserted their superiority, the fans had grown increasingly disinterested.

Modifies a noun

  • impartiality: We are far from achieving that disinterested impartiality on the part of the Government and the law that is required by an open society.
  • observer: It is clear to even the most disinterested observer that the cost of purchasing a PC has fallen considerably.
  • pursuit: Like Karl Popper, he sees scientific inquiry in highly Romantic terms as the disinterested pursuit of truth.
  • party: Posted by: EU Serf at December 12, 2004 11:52 AM I agree - the state should be a disinterested party.
  • love: The point at issue is this: whether he should prefer the religious law or disinterested love.
  • advice: Our aim is to provide you with the best possible, disinterested advice in the field of charitable giving.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: Then the duo themselves seemed disinterested in working at all.
  • look: At least Milner ran his socks off, Pennant looked disinterested.
  • become: He became disinterested in our life, only his mattered.
  • appear: In many cases, the Local Authority appeared disinterested.

Preposition: in

  • politics: Young people aren't disinterested in politics - they're disinterested in party politics.
  • food: Any pet that is disinterested in food or drink, or has no appetite has a reduced quality of life.
  • celebrity: It wasn't that they were boring or that they were disinterested in celebrities.
  • everything: It's a world that has inhabitants totally absorbed in their own bored existence, and disinterested in everything outside themselves.