uninterested
gb/ʌnˈɪntɹəstɪd/ us/ʌnˈɪntɹəstɪd/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
not interested; bored or indifferent
Not interested in something; bored.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is uninterested in [something/doing something]
Common mistake:
Uninterested usually means “not interested/bored.” For “impartial/not biased,” many speakers prefer disinterested.
Synonyms
indifferent (Suggests lack of care or concern, not necessarily boredom.)
|
bored (Emphasizes feeling tired of something and wanting it to end.)
|
apathetic (Stronger; suggests very little emotion or motivation.)
Antonyms
interested (Having curiosity or attention directed toward something.)
|
engaged (Actively involved and paying close attention.)
|
keen (Eager and enthusiastic.)
Collocations
completely uninterested
|seem uninterested
|look uninterested
|uninterested in politics
|uninterested in the conversation
|uninterested in buying
|uninterested in dating
|an uninterested audience
|an uninterested expression
|an uninterested tone
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily_life
Examples
- He seemed uninterested in the lecture and kept checking his phone.
- I’m uninterested in arguing about it—let’s move on.
- The kids were uninterested until the teacher showed a video.
Learner examples
- She is uninterested in sports.
- I was uninterested, so I left early.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
not involved; impartial (disputed)
Not involved, so able to be fair (some people say this should be disinterested).
Usage pattern:
an uninterested [person/party/witness]
Common mistake:
In exams and formal writing, use disinterested for “impartial” to avoid sounding nonstandard.
Synonyms
disinterested (Standard choice for “impartial; without personal gain.”)
|
impartial (Directly emphasizes fairness and lack of bias.)
|
neutral (Emphasizes not taking sides.)
Antonyms
interested (Having a personal stake or potential benefit.)
|
biased (Favoring one side rather than being fair.)
Collocations
an uninterested party
|an uninterested witness
|an uninterested third party
|an uninterested observer
Themes
law
|business
|ethics
Examples
- The contract required an uninterested third party to verify the results.
- An uninterested witness confirmed that the signature matched the ID.
- They asked an uninterested mediator to handle the dispute.
Learner examples
- They chose an uninterested third party to check the work.
Grammar
Dictionary form
uninterested
IPA
GB/ʌnˈɪntɹəstɪd/
US/ʌnˈɪntɹəstɪd/
Syllables & stress
un - in - ter - ested (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (in)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: uninterested
Expressions
an uninterested party
1/ən ʌnˈɪntɹəstɪd pˈɑɹti/
fixed phrase
formal
neutral person not involved
A neutral person who is not involved.
Examples
- The agreement allows an uninterested party to review the accounts.
- They asked an uninterested party to hold the deposit until the work was finished.
an uninterested witness
1/ən ʌnˈɪntɹəstɪd wˈɪtnəs/
fixed phrase
formal
neutral witness with no stake
A witness who is not involved and can be fair.
Examples
- The form must be signed in front of an uninterested witness.
- They brought in an uninterested witness to confirm the delivery.