different between disinterested vs contemptuous

English

Etymology

Corruption of the adjective disinterest/disinteressed.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d??s?nt(?)??st?d/

Adjective

disinterested (comparative more disinterested, superlative most disinterested)

1. Having no stake or interest in the outcome; free of bias, impartial. [from 17th c.]
   • 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, ch. 1:

     With his disinterested passion for art, he had a real desire to call the attention of the wise to a talent which was in the highest degree original; [...]

   • 2011, Steven Pinker, The Better Angels of Our Nature, Penguin 2012, p. 220:

     People are better off abjuring violence, if everyone else agrees to do so, and vesting authority in a disinterested third party.
2. Uninterested, lacking interest. [from 17th c.]
   • 1684, Contempl. State of Man I. x

     How dis-interested are they in all Worldly matters, since they fling their Wealth and Riches into the Sea.

   • 1936, Djuna Barnes, Nightwood, Faber & Faber 2007, p. 43:

     Robin took to wandering again, to intermittent travel from which she came back hours, days later, disinterested.

   • 1967, Tommy Frazer, The Sun (Baltimore), "A 'Doctor' Of Karate", March 27

     Those spotted are usually taught so slowly that they grow disinterested and quit.

Usage notes

• The correctness of the use of this word with the meaning uninterested is disputed. Some reference works consider it acceptable, while others do not. The OED specifies that this is "Often regarded as a loose use." According to Macmillan Dictionary, "Many people think that this use of the word is not correct".

Translations

References

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin contemptus or from contempt +? -uous.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /k?n?t?m(p).t?u.?s/, /k?n?t?m(p).t??s/, /k?n?t?m(p).tju.?s/
• (US) IPA^(key): /k?n?t?mp.t?u.?s/

Adjective

contemptuous (comparative more contemptuous, superlative most contemptuous)

1. Showing contempt; expressing disdain; showing a lack of respect.

Synonyms

• disdainful
• dismissive

Antonyms

• respectful

Derived terms

• contemptuously

Related terms

• contemn
• contempt

Translations