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Grab The RSS“Disinterested” Not the Same as “Uninterested”
The constant misuse of disinterested for uninterested is breaking down a very useful distinction of meaning.
To be uninterested is to be lacking in any sense of engagement with the matter:
Sallie is uninterested in algebra.
To be disinterested is to lack bias:
Let the company call in a disinterested mediator to settle the dispute.
The use of disinterest as a verb should probably be avoided:
Her husband tried to disinterest her in taking the course in German.
Better: Her husband tried to discourage her from taking the course in German.
If the person you are describing is not interested in something, use uninterested.
Save disinterested for the judge.
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5 Responses to ““Disinterested” Not the Same as “Uninterested””
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Glad to know this as I’m sure I’ve used the wrong word in my writings. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve used both of these words wrong. I’m glad I finally know the distinction.
I don’t see the difference. I see people splitting hairs on these kinds of pages. On this page, the subjective argument is that one is a lack of bias, but you need a lack of bias if you don’t become engaged. I become engaged when I have a position. I don’t just robotically show interest for the sake of it. So, I can’t relate to the distinctions being made.
I see one half of one, half of the other. Could go either way depending on how you see it.
And of course, originally “uninterested” meant impartial. So technically, we are all wrong. Language changes. Deal with it.
Oh, but Marcus, I could be a disinterested party to some sort of decision and at the same time be very interested by it. Eg, an election in a country I am not from. I can also be uninterested in politics in my own country, but certainly not disinterested as I have a stake in the outcome. So they are two different meanings. It’s just that the newer second sense of disinterest offends pedants. Who usually don’t know the history, and that actually they are using uninterested “incorrectly” by their definition of “correct”.