Disinterested Meaning
/(ˌ)dɪsˈɪntɹɪstɪd/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjHaving no interest or stake in the outcome, and no conflicts of interest; free of bias, impartial.
adjSynonym of uninterested (“not interested; not concerned; indifferent”).
Sentence Examples
As a disinterested third-party, I can declare that she secretly loves him.
Tom had a bored, disinterested look on his face.
CEFR Practice Quiz
A judge must remain ____ to ensure a fair trial.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
As a ____ third-party, I can declare that she secretly loves him.
Word Origin & History
From disinterest (“to cause to be impartial”, verb) + -ed (suffix forming past tense or past participle forms of verbs), or from dis- (prefix meaning ‘not’) + interested (“having a stake in; showing interest”, adjective).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[W]e ought to try our compoſures this vvay; by vvhich the ſoul, receiving them more remotely, conveyed to the ear by the voice, and from this returned to her, as it vvere, from abroad, and that onely in a tranſient ſound, ſits novv as the moſt diſintereſted Arbiter, and impartial judge of her ovvn vvorks, that ſhe can be."
— 1659, [Obadiah Walker], “Sect[ion] VIII”, in Some Instructions Concerning the Art of Oratory. […], London: […] J[ohn] G[rismond] for R[ichard] Royston, […], →OCLC, paragraph 4, page 115:
"[E]very one pretended to Right and Liberty, and to publick Good, and made loud Noiſes of their unbiaſs'd Juſtice, diſintereſted Actings, and vaſt Moderation, and yet vvere all fighting and ſnarling for Dominion over one another."
— 1708 May 19 (Gregorian calendar), [Daniel Defoe], “Saturday, May 8. 1708 [Julian calendar].”, in A Review of the State of the British Nation, volume V, number 18, [Edinburgh?]: [s.n.], →OCLC, page 71, column 1:
"Sir, you have a right to that kind of respect, and are arguing for yourself. I am for ſupporting the principle, and am diſintereſted in doing it, as I have no ſuch right."
— 1791, James Boswell, quoting Samuel Johnson, “[1772]”, in James Boswell, editor, The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. […], volume I, London: […] Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, […], →OCLC, page 356:
""I don't mind going if a lunch is provided," observed the gentleman with the excrescence on his nose. "But I must be fed, if I make one." Another laugh. "Well, I am the most disinterested among you, after all," said the first speaker, "for I never wear black gloves, and I never eat lunch. But I'll offer to go, if anybody else will.[…]""
— 1843 December 19, Charles Dickens, “Stave Four. The Last of the Spirits.”, in A Christmas Carol. […], London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, page 125:
"This was a case for disinterested benevolence; no pay was expected, but considerable risk incurred; yet we could not decline it, […]"
— 1865, David Livingstone, Charles Livingstone, chapter XIII, in Narrative of an Expedition to the Zambesi and Its Tributaries; and of the Discovery of the Lakes Shirwa and Nyassa. 1858–1864, London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, page 275:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
A judge must remain ____ to ensure a fair trial.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
As a ____ third-party, I can declare that she secretly loves him.