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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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   • E

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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › interest

   • Cached

   1. a. : a feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to something or someone : concern. b. : something or someone that arouses such attention. c. : a quality in a thing or person arousing interest. 2. : advantage, benefit.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   a feeling of having your attention held by something, or of wanting to be involved with and learn more about something: [ C ] an interest in chess. [ U ] I lost interest halfway through the book. [ C/U ] Your interests are the activities that you enjoy doing and the subjects that you like to spend time learning about.

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › interest

   • Cached

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › interest

   • Cached

   INTEREST definition: 1. the feeling of wanting to give attention to something or discover more about it: 2. something…. Learn more.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

   • Cached

   Check pronunciation: interest. Definition of interest noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

7. 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. Although interest is used mainly to describe anything that is, well, interesting, it also is used in specific legal contexts. If you have an interest in a company, it ...

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › interest

   • Cached

   3 days ago · 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.