Difference between UNINTERESTED & DISINTERESTED!

English is undoubtedly the craziest language in the world! Perhaps most of you know that DISAPPEAR is the opposite of APPEAR, DISAGREE is the opposite of AGREE, DISHONEST is the opposite of HONEST and DISADVANTAGE is the opposite of ADVANTAGE.

Such words prove that the prefix 'DIS' is used to form the antonym (opposite word) of many words. Now the question is: what is the opposite of INTERESTED? Is it DISINTERESTED or UNINTERESTED?

'DISINTERESTED' and 'UNINTERESTED' are two words which have given rise to a lot of heated arguments among grammarians and common users of English around the world. Even the native users of English -knowingly or unknowingly- misuse these words.

According to strict and refined grammar, DISINTERESTED should not be used to mean 'not interested'. The reason is DISINTERESTED is a totally different word, meaning 'IMPARTIAL', 'OBJECTIVE' or 'UNBIASED'
Examples:
(1)"Only Mrs Alice can give you some DISINTERESTED advice on this matter". (meaning 'impartial')
(2)"Ask him for a DISINTERESTED account of the incident" (meaning 'impartial')
(3)"It is better to be DISINTERESTED when it comes to political views" etc. (meaning 'impartial')

On the other hand, 'UNINTERESTED' stands for 'NOT INTERESTED' (i.e. the accurate opposite of INTERESTED).
Examples:
(1) "Jane is totally UNINTERESTED in sports and games".
(2) "She seemed cold and UNINTERESTED in our offer".

Like wise,
"The food was dull and UNINTERESTING". (opposite: INTERESTING)
"The number of UNINTERESTING bollywood movies is increasing" etc. However, UNINTERESTING is not a very common usage. Instead 'BORING' or 'Dull' is widely preferred.

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NB Though UNINTERESTED is the exact opposite of INTERESTED, the other one DISINTERESTED is widely used by the speakers. Even the Oxford Dictionary says that DISINTERESTED can be used as the opposite of INTERESTED, but only in informal English (i.e. ordinary conversations). However, it is advisable to avoid using it to mean NOT INTERESTED in standard written English.

Good Night
Jack (Nova English Campus)