interest
1 of 2noun
in·ter·est ˈin-t(ə-)rəst 
ˈin-tə-ˌrest,
-ˌtrest;
ˈin-tərst
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
also : self-interest
3
a
: a charge for borrowed money generally a percentage of the amount borrowed
b
: the profit in goods or money that is made on invested capital
c
: an excess above what is due or expected
returned the insults with interest
4
a(1)
: right, title, or legal share in something
(2)
: participation in advantage and responsibility
b
: business, company
5
: special interest
interest
2 of 2verb
interested; interesting; interests
transitive verb
1
: to engage the attention or arouse the interest of
2
: to induce or persuade to participate or engage
Synonyms
Noun
- claim
- share
- stake
Verb
- absorb
- bemuse
- busy
- catch up
- engage
- engross
- enthrall
- enthral
- enwrap
- fascinate
- grip
- immerse
- intrigue
- involve
- occupy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun She told us about her lifelong interest in music. The kids listened to the speaker for a little while, but then lost interest. The speaker wasn't able to hold their interest. She took an active interest in the political debate. He expressed an interest in learning more about photography. The stories about his personal life add interest to the book. I thought this article might be of interest to you. We visited many places of interest on our vacation. The price of the ticket was a matter of interest to everyone. Music is one of her many interests. Verb Military history doesn't really interest me. It might interest you to know that the woman in this photograph is your great-grandmother. It interested me to learn that she had once lived in California. The salesman tried to interest me in a more expensive computer. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 The amount owed builds as interest is added on the unpaid debt year after year. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2022 Of equal or possibly more interest will be to watch Charles juggle royal family matters. Richard Jerome, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2022 What follows are 10 highlights near and not-too-far that piqued one critic’s interest. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022 For perspective, the principal and interest payment on a $400,000 home loan at a 3.5% mortgage rate is around $1,800 per month. Rick Palacios, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 Remember that a bond’s current yield is its annual interest payments divided by its price. Jason Zweig, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 The Chicago Bears generated keen interest from fans and non-fans alike Thursday for a presentation of plans for a new domed stadium and entertainment district in Arlington Heights. Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 The connection between Iran and al Qaeda remains one of interest and concern two decades after the attack on 9/11, with some questions still unanswered as families of victims from the attack continue to seek clarity. Peter Aitken, Fox News, 9 Sep. 2022 Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022 Walsh, this person explained, isn’t particularly interested in creating an agenda, because the nuts and bolts of policymaking simply don’t interest him. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 5 Sep. 2022 If the message doesn’t really deliver any value to your audience, consider revising it to deliver it in a way that will interest your audience. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Even small labs can create disease-resistant cassavas or drought-resistant bananas, which could benefit poor nations but would not interest companies looking for hefty financial returns. New York Times, 27 June 2022 Being now a mother at this stage of her life, however, the roles that would interest her seem to have evolved with time. Jeff Conway, Forbes, 2 June 2022 While acknowledging that not everyone can continue working into their golden years, Tucker said that a traditional retirement simply doesn't interest him. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 15 Aug. 2022 When faced with situations that don’t interest her, Mia withdraws. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2022 There were no gay bars near Bunceton, nor truck stops or bathhouses, which Ulrich said didn’t interest him. Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2022 See More
Noun
Sunday night's offering between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys, the teams that ushered in the 2021 season, will draw plenty of interest itself – both clubs loaded with skill players ... and offensive lines already under duress. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 The amount owed builds as interest is added on the unpaid debt year after year. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2022 Of equal or possibly more interest will be to watch Charles juggle royal family matters. Richard Jerome, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2022 What follows are 10 highlights near and not-too-far that piqued one critic’s interest. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022 For perspective, the principal and interest payment on a $400,000 home loan at a 3.5% mortgage rate is around $1,800 per month. Rick Palacios, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 Remember that a bond’s current yield is its annual interest payments divided by its price. Jason Zweig, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 The Chicago Bears generated keen interest from fans and non-fans alike Thursday for a presentation of plans for a new domed stadium and entertainment district in Arlington Heights. Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 The connection between Iran and al Qaeda remains one of interest and concern two decades after the attack on 9/11, with some questions still unanswered as families of victims from the attack continue to seek clarity. Peter Aitken, Fox News, 9 Sep. 2022 Verb
About twice a year, Prince-Bythewood says, she is contacted by a company wanting to do a sequel or a TV series of Love & Basketball, which does not interest her. Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022 Walsh, this person explained, isn’t particularly interested in creating an agenda, because the nuts and bolts of policymaking simply don’t interest him. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 5 Sep. 2022 If the message doesn’t really deliver any value to your audience, consider revising it to deliver it in a way that will interest your audience. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Even small labs can create disease-resistant cassavas or drought-resistant bananas, which could benefit poor nations but would not interest companies looking for hefty financial returns. New York Times, 27 June 2022 Being now a mother at this stage of her life, however, the roles that would interest her seem to have evolved with time. Jeff Conway, Forbes, 2 June 2022 While acknowledging that not everyone can continue working into their golden years, Tucker said that a traditional retirement simply doesn't interest him. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 15 Aug. 2022 When faced with situations that don’t interest her, Mia withdraws. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2022 There were no gay bars near Bunceton, nor truck stops or bathhouses, which Ulrich said didn’t interest him. Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, probably alteration of earlier interesse, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, to be between, make a difference, concern, from inter- + esse to be — more at is
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a(1)
Verb
1608, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing interest
Kids Definition
interest 1 of 2
noun
in·ter·est ˈin-trəst
ˈin-tə-rəst
1
: a feeling of concern or curiosity about or desire to be involved with something
an interest in music
We lost interest in the game.
2
: a quality that makes something more appealing or interesting
Personal stories add interest to the book.
3
: something that a person enjoys learning about or doing
Sports is one of his many interests.
4
: something that provides help or benefit to a person or group
It's in your interest to study.
5
: the money paid by a borrower for the use of borrowed money
6
: the profit made on money that is invested
7
: a right, title, or legal share in something
They bought out his interest in the company.
8
interests plural : a group financially interested in an industry or business
mining interests
interest
2 of 2verb
interested; interesting
1
: to persuade to become involved in
Can I interest you in joining us?
2
: to arouse and hold the concern, curiosity, or attention of
This movie doesn't interest me.
Legal Definition
interest
noun
in·ter·est ˈin-trəst; ˈin-tə-rəst, -ˌrest
1
: a right, title, claim, or share in property
— Article Nine security interest
: security interest in this entry
— beneficial interest
: the right to the use and benefit of property a beneficial interest in the trust
— contingent interest
: a future interest whose vesting is dependent upon the occurrence or nonoccurrence of a future event compare vested interest in this entry
— controlling interest
: sufficient stock ownership in a corporation to exert control over policy
— equitable interest
: an interest (as a beneficial interest) that is held by virtue of equitable title or that may be claimed on the ground of equitable relief claimed an equitable interest in the debtor's assets
— executory interest
: a future interest other than a remainder or reversion that may take effect upon the divesting of a prior interest or one created simultaneously
Note: Unlike a remainder, an executory interest does not require the expiration of a prior interest. It was designed to guard against the destructibility of contingent remainders set forth in the rule in Shelley's case.
— expectation interest
: the interest of a party to a breached contract in receiving the benefit of the bargain by being put in a position as good as that which would have resulted had the contract been performed
called also expectancy interest
compare reliance interest in this entry — future interest
: an interest in property limited or created so that its owner will come into the use, possession, or enjoyment of it at some future time see also contingent interest and executory interest in this entry compare remainder, reversion
— insurable interest
: an interest or stake in property or in a person that arises from the potential for especially financial loss upon the destruction of the property or the death of the person and that is a requirement for enforcing an insurance contract
Note: The purpose of requiring an insurable interest is to prevent the use of insurance as a form of gambling or as a method of profiting from destruction.
— legal interest
: an interest that is recognized in law (as by legal title) compare equitable interest in this entry, legal title at title
— life interest
: an interest lasting for the duration of a person's life that forecloses the ability to affect the property beyond that term compare life estate at estate sense 1
— possessory interest
: an interest (as a right) involving or arising out of the possession of property
Note: A possessory interest is based on control rather than use. Thus a lessee who occupies and controls the use of property has a possessory interest, while a party who has an easement does not.
— purchase money security interest
: the security interest held by the seller of collateral to secure payment of all or part of the price
: the security interest of a person that gives value to a debtor so that the debtor may acquire rights in or the use of collateral
— reliance interest
: the interest of a party to a breached contract in being compensated for detriments suffered (as expenses incurred) in reliance on the agreement compare expectation interest in this entry
— reversionary interest
: an interest in property (as a possibility of reverter or a power of termination) remaining in the transferor of the property or in his or her successor in interest
— security interest
: an interest in property that exists by contract as security for payment or performance of an obligation the security interest of a mortgagee in the mortgaged property
also : lien
Note: While a lien may be created by statutory or judicial means without any agreement providing for security (as in the case of a tax lien or judgment lien), a security interest and lien may inhere in the same claim, as when a mortgage comprises both a lien on and security interest in the mortgaged property.
: an interest in personal property or fixtures created by a security agreement that secures payment or performance of an obligation the creditor had a security interest in the inventory and accounts receivable of the business
called also Article Nine security interest
see also attach sense 3, collateral sense 2, perfect entry 2 sense b, purchase money security interest in this entryNote: Security interests in personal property are governed by Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. The security interest set out in Article 9 largely replaces the traditional devices for security, such as the pledge and chattel mortgage. A security interest in property that has attached enables a creditor to obtain satisfaction of a debt out of the property without the need to obtain a judgment in court and levy on the property. Further, it provides the creditor with priority over competing claims against the property.
— terminable interest
: an interest (as in a life estate) that will terminate upon the occurrence of an event or the passing of time
— vested interest
: a present and certain right to the present or future enjoyment of property compare contingent interest in this entry
— working interest
: the interest of a party that holds the right to oil, gas, or minerals on a property and that bears production costs see also overriding royalty
2
: a specific concern or level of involvement (as financial involvement) especially that warrants recognition or causes bias
had a right to intervene because of an interest in the litigation
recused himself due to an interest in the matter
see also conflict of interest 3
: something that causes or warrants particular attention: as
a
: a principle, purpose, or object of concern
— compelling state interest
: a governmental interest (as in educating children or protecting the public) which is so important that it outweighs individual rights
— public interest
a : the general welfare and rights of the public that are to be recognized, protected, and advanced the attorney general has standing as a representative of the public interest
b : a specific public benefit or stake in something the public interest in controlling crime
: the concern or attention of the public a matter of widespread public interest
b
: a right especially that arises from a constitution (as the U.S. Constitution)
especially : such a right considered as an issue or claim created in or involving a particular situation or thing
no person will be deprived of his interests in the absence of a proceeding in which he may present his case Marshall v. Jerrico, Inc., 446 U.S. 238 (1980)
Marshall v. Jerrico, Inc., 446 U.S. 238 (1980) — liberty interest
: an interest in freedom from governmental deprivation of liberty especially without due process the liberty interest implicated by the needless discouragement of the exercise of the right to counsel — State v. Albert, 899 P.2d 103 (1995) (dissent)
— privacy interest
: an interest in freedom from governmental intrusion into matters in which one has a reasonable expectation of privacy we have no privacy interest protected by the federal Constitution in limiting public or government access to knowledge of our financial transactions L. H. Tribe
L. H. Tribe — property interest
: an interest in freedom from governmental deprivation of property and sources of financial gain (as employment or a government benefit) without due process
broadly : something (as a job or benefit) to which one has a legitimate claim of entitlement and that cannot be taken away without due process as distinguished from the unprotected object of a need, desire, or expectation
4
: the well-being of a person —often used in pl.
does not serve the child's best interests
5
: a charge for the use of another's money that is usually a percentage of the money being used
an account yielding 7% interest
paid back the loan with interest
— compound interest
: interest computed on the sum of the original principal and accrued interest
— legal interest
: a lawful interest rate and especially the highest rate allowed proposals to increase the legal interest on department store credit cards to 15% — American Banker
also : interest computed at such a rate
awarded the defendant legal interest
compare usury — qualified residence interest
: interest that is deductible from adjusted gross income under federal tax law when it is paid on debt that is secured by one's residence and that was incurred for the acquisition, construction, improvement, or refinancing of the residence or through a home equity loan
— simple interest
: interest computed on the principal of a loan or account
interest 1 of 2
noun
1
as in stake
a legal right to participation in the advantages, profits, and responsibility of something all of the workers at the food cooperative have an interest in it Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- stake
- share
- ownership
- partnership
- claim
- part
- title
- possession
- co-ownership
2
as in good
the state of doing well especially in relation to one's happiness or success make no mistake: she's determined to act in her own interest in this business deal Synonyms & Similar Words
- good
- welfare
- success
- sake
- health
- happiness
- weal
- benefit
- well-being
- joy
- prosperity
- fitness
- successfulness
- satisfaction
- advantage
- gratification
- prosperousness
- soundness
- wellness
- robustness
- content
- gain
- healthiness
- fortune
- wholesomeness
- bliss
- felicity
- wholeness
- contentedness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unsoundness
- unhappiness
- suffering
- sadness
- unhealthiness
- misery
- ill-being
- wretchedness
3
as in firm
a commercial or industrial activity or organization a multinational corporation with interests on every continent Synonyms & Similar Words
- firm
- company
- concern
- house
- business
- enterprise
- corporation
- association
- establishment
- agency
- outfit
- trust
- multinational
- conglomerate
- syndicate
- dealer
- outlet
- combine
- chain
- cartel
- microenterprise
4
as in special interest
a group of people with a common identifying interest that they seek to protect and promote the contention that the nation's financial interests have too much power Synonyms & Similar Words
- special interest
- interest group
- vested interest
- pressure group
- political action committee
interest
2 of 2verb
as in to intrigue
to hold the attention of the book didn't interest me, so I ended up watching the parade of people on the sidewalk Synonyms & Similar Words
- intrigue
- fascinate
- occupy
- involve
- immerse
- busy
- attract
- grip
- engage
- engross
- absorb
- bemuse
- distract
- enthral
- enthrall
- preoccupy
- enchant
- allure
- charm
- catch up
- catch one's eye
- captivate
- obsess
- enwrap
- mesmerize
- hypnotize
- beguile
- bewitch
- monopolize
- hog
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bore
- weary
- pall
- tire
- jade