Mistake: Disinterested vs Uninterested

disinterested = neutral; uninterested = bored.

Examples

• A disinterested judge.

Key rules

• Disinterested means impartial or neutral, without a personal stake
• Uninterested means not interested or bored
• Many speakers use disinterested to mean uninterested, but the traditional meaning is different

Common mistakes

• A disinterested judge (neutral) vs an uninterested judge (bored)
• He is disinterested in football → He is uninterested in football

Use cases

• Describing judges and officials
• Talking about hobbies
• Writing formal reports