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Disinterested Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ
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disinterested

[dษชsหˆษชntrษชstษชd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

Having or feeling no interest in something; unbiased or impartial.

Synonyms

impartial, neutral, unbiased.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disinterested

Appropriate when describing someone who is not influenced by personal interest or advantage and is able to make fair judgments.

  • The judge must remain disinterested in the case to ensure fairness.
  • A disinterested third party can help mediate the dispute.
impartial

Used when referring to someone who treats all parties equally and fairly without favoritism or prejudice.

  • The mediator should be impartial to resolve conflicts effectively.
  • The teacher was impartial in handling disputes between students.
unbiased

Refers to a person or opinion that is free from any form of prejudice or partiality.

  • The scientist's report was unbiased and based solely on facts.
  • To get an unbiased view, it's important to consult multiple sources.
neutral

Used in situations where someone or something does not take sides in a conflict or competition.

  • Switzerland is known for being a neutral country.
  • The journalist remained neutral while reporting on the political debate.

Examples of usage

  • She remained disinterested in the outcome of the game.
  • The judge must be disinterested in order to make a fair decision.
Context #2 | Adjective

knowledge

Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts.

Synonyms

detached, objective, unprejudiced.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disinterested

Used when describing someone who is impartial and has no personal stake in an issue. Typically employed in formal contexts, such as legal or academic discussions.

  • A disinterested third party was brought in to mediate the dispute.
  • Judges must be disinterested to ensure fair trials.
objective

Refers to someone or something that is unbiased and based on facts rather than feelings or opinions. Commonly used in professional, academic, and journalistic contexts.

  • The news article was praised for being objective and factual.
  • To make the best decision, we need to be objective and consider all the evidence.
unprejudiced

Describes someone who does not hold preconceived opinions or biases. Usually positive and used to commend an open-minded and fair approach.

  • As a teacher, it's important to remain unprejudiced towards all students.
  • She listened to both sides of the argument with an unprejudiced attitude.
detached

Describes someone who is emotionally uninvolved or separated from a situation. Often used when emphasizing a lack of emotional engagement, which could be either positive or negative.

  • She remained detached during the heated argument, not letting her emotions take over.
  • The scientist maintained a detached perspective while collecting data.

Examples of usage

  • A good journalist should be disinterested in the stories they cover.
  • It is important to have a disinterested perspective when analyzing data.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Language Usage

  • Commonly confused with 'uninterested', which means having no interest at all, while 'disinterested' implies impartiality.
  • In academic writing, clarity is crucial, so the precise use of 'disinterested' is favored in discussions regarding objectivity.
  • Usage of 'disinterested' in regular conversation may lead to misunderstandings due to its complex history.

Philosophy

  • The concept of disinterest is important in ethics, where being impartial helps to make fair decisions.
  • Philosophers like Kant discussed disinterest as a necessary quality for moral judgments, emphasizing objectivity.
  • In aesthetic theory, disinterest pertains to experiencing art without the influence of personal gain.

Pop Culture

  • The term appears in various debates about political neutrality, often in contexts discussing the mediaโ€™s role.
  • Literature often portrays disinterested characters as those who strive for truth without reward.
  • Reality shows frequently challenge the idea of genuine disinterest, revealing biases in participantsโ€™ actions.

Psychology

  • Research shows that true disinterest can lead to more rational decision-making and conflict resolution.
  • Being disinterested may improve relationships, as showing impartiality can prevent favoritism.
  • Conversely, an overly disinterested demeanor may be perceived as coldness or aloofness in social contexts.

Origin of 'disinterested'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'disinteressare', meaning to set apart or to remove interest.
  • Originally, 'disinterested' meant someone who was free from bias or partiality, not just indifferent.
  • It was used in legal contexts as far back as the 15th century to describe unbiased judges.

The word 'disinterested' originated in the 17th century from the combination of the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'not' and the word 'interested'. Originally, it was used to mean 'not interested' or 'unconcerned'. Over time, its meaning evolved to also include the sense of being impartial or unbiased.

See also: disinterest, interest, interested, interesting, interestingly, interests, uninterested, uninteresting, uninterestingly.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,241, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.