Uninterested, Disinterested-The difference.

By Ranjana S.

A student sits in the classroom on a rainy day, his mind wavering. He is filled with ennui, the topic bores him, the educator bores him ; he is indifferent with all present in the classroom. He would rather be outdoors, drenched in the rain, playing soccer in the muddy playground. He is just inattentive, he is UNINTERESTED.

A judge pronounces his decision after listening to the evidence, pro and con, which the opposing parties present to him. He is listening in rapt attention to the answers that the defendant and plaintiff,  counsel for both litigants, witnesses are presenting forth. He is attentive and alert. He is DISINTERESTED.

A person who is indifferent and bored is UNINTERESTED.

A person who is unbiased, neutral, and not personally involved in dispute, is DISINTERESTED.

• Veronica is ( disinterested-------incorrect, uninterested------correct) in her clients' personal affairs.
• Why do you look so (disinterested------incorrect, uninterested------correct); the soap opera is interesting.
• The party President is an (a) ( uninterested-----incorrect, disinterested-----correct) person, the party will let him settle the dispute.
• Everyone reached a consensus; arriving at an (a) ( uninterested------incorrect, disinterested-------correct) conclusion.
• The war proved that the people could not afford to maintain an (a) (uninterested------incorrect, disinterested-----correct) attitude toward events in the country.