disinterest

[ dis-in-ter-ist, -trist ]

noun

1. lack of interest; indifference.
2. the absence of bias or self-interest; impartiality.

verb (used with object)

1. to divest of interest or concern.

disinterest

/ dɪsˈɪntrɪst; -tərɪst /

noun

1. freedom from bias or involvement
2. lack of interest; indifference

verb

1. tr to free from concern for personal interests

Word History and Origins

Origin of disinterest¹

First recorded in 1605–15; dis- ¹ + interest

Example Sentences

At 39 — and with a pair of largely unsuccessful LPs behind her in 2020’s “Smile” and 2017’s “Witness” — Perry is already past the age when female pop stars encounter the brutal disinterest of a music business preoccupied with novelty and youth; indeed, she was battling the perception of obsolescence even before the emergence this past summer of Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, both of whom no doubt put the scare into a superstar like 31-year-old Ariana Grande.

From Los Angeles Times

The album came out to almost universal disinterest last September, selling just 3,000 copies in its first week.

From BBC

Despite the previous disinterest, in early 2022 Bonta’s office responded with a short letter agreeing to review the case.

From Los Angeles Times

We were able to trace how newly introduced gestational restrictions and abortion bans affected mental health outcomes such as anxiety, worry, disinterest and depression on a state-by-state basis.

From Salon

“Youth sees politics as something from up high — men in big ties in big cars that won’t listen. So there is a disinterest,” he said.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• inattention
• indifference
• lethargy