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1. Dictionary

   In·ter·est

   /ˈint(ə)rəst/

   

   noun

   • 1. the state of wanting to know or learn about something or someone: "she looked about her with interest" Similar attentivenessundivided attentionabsorptionengrossmentheedregardnoticescrutinycuriosityinquisitivenessenjoymentdelightOpposite boredom
   • ▪ a feeling of wanting to know or learn about (something): "he developed an interest in art"
   • ▪ the quality of exciting curiosity or holding the attention: "a tale full of interest" Similar attractionappealfascinationcharmbeautyallureallurementtemptationtantalization
   • ▪ a subject about which one is concerned or enthusiastic: "my particular interest is twentieth-century poetry" Similar hobbypastimeleisure activityleisure pursuitrecreationentertainmentdiversionamusementrelaxationpassionenthusiasminformal:thingbagscenecup of tea
   • 2. money paid regularly at a particular rate for the use of money lent, or for delaying the repayment of a debt: "the monthly rate of interest" Similar dividendsprofitsreturnsa percentagea gain
   • 3. the advantage or benefit of a person or group: "the merger is not contrary to the public interest" Similar concernbusinessbusiness mattermattercareaffairs
   • ▪ the selfish pursuit of one's own welfare; self-interest. archaic
   • 4. a stake, share, or involvement in an undertaking, especially a financial one: "holders of voting rights must disclose their interests" Similar stakeshareportionclaiminvestmentstockequityinvolvementparticipationconcerninvolvementpartialitypartisanshippreferenceloyaltyone-sidednessfavoritismbiasprejudice
   • ▪ a legal concern, title, or right in property: "third parties having an interest in a building"
   • 5. a group or organization having a specified common concern, especially in politics or business: "the regulation of national interests in India, Brazil, and Africa"

   verb

   • 1. excite the curiosity or attention of (someone): "I thought the book might interest Eric" Similar be of interest toappeal toattractbe attractive tointriguefascinateabsorbengrossrivetgripholdcaptivateamusedivertentertainarouse one's curiositywhet one's appetitehold one's attentionengage one's attentioninformal:float someone's boattickle someone's fancylight someone's firearouse someone's interest inpersuade to buysellOpposite bore
   • ▪ cause someone to undertake or acquire (something): "efforts were made to interest her in a purchase"

   Word Origin late Middle English (originally as interess): from Anglo-Norman French interesse, from Latin interesse ‘differ, be important’, from inter- ‘between’ + esse ‘be’. The -t was added partly by association with Old French interest ‘damage, loss’, apparently from Latin interest ‘it is important’. The original sense was ‘the possession of a share in or a right to something’; hence interest (sense 4 of the noun). interest (sense 1 of the noun) and the verb arose in the 18th century interest (sense 2 of the noun) was influenced by medieval Latin interesse ‘compensation for a debtor's defaulting’.

   Scrabble Points: 8

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › interestInterest Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › interest

   • Cached

   The meaning of INTEREST is a feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to something or someone : concern. How to use interest in a sentence.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishINTEREST | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   INTEREST definition: 1. the feeling of wanting to give your attention to something or of wanting to be involved with and…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › interestINTEREST Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › interest

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   Interest definition: the feeling of a person whose attention, concern, or curiosity is particularly engaged by something. See examples of INTEREST used in a sentence.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › interestInterest - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › interest

   Interest is used most often to describe something you like, enjoy or think useful. You might have an interest in African literature, or you might follow the news with interest.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › interestINTEREST definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › interest

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   noun. 1. the feeling of a person whose attention, concern, or curiosity is particularly engaged by something. She has a great interest in the poetry of Donne. 2. something that concerns, involves, draws the attention of, or arouses the curiosity of a person. His interests are philosophy and chess.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitioninterest noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

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   wanting to know more. [uncountable, singular] the feeling that you have when you want to know or learn more about somebody/something. Her research has generated interest around the world. The case has attracted the interest of the public and media.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › interestINTEREST | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › interest

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   something that gives someone or something an advantage: A union looks after the interests of its members. be in sb's interest (s) to help someone and give them an advantage: It may not be in your interests to change jobs so soon.