Pronunciation

/ˈɪntrɛst/

Definitions

• Noun (n): A feeling of curiosity or concern about something or someone; a desire to learn or know more. Example: “She has a great interest in ancient history.”
• Noun (n): The benefit or advantage that one gets from something, especially money earned on an investment. Example: “The bank pays a high rate of interest on savings accounts.”
• Noun (n): Something that holds a person’s attention or arouses their curiosity because it is enjoyable, entertaining, or valuable. Example: “Reading was his main interest.”
• Verb (v): To cause someone to have a feeling of curiosity or concern about something. Example: “Her stories always interest people from all walks of life.”
• Verb (v): To invest money in order to earn a financial return. Example: “They decided to interest some of their savings in stocks and shares.”

Phrases

• “Take an interest in something”: To develop a liking or enthusiasm for something. Example: “He started taking an interest in gardening during lockdown.”
• “In the interests of…”: For the benefit or protection of something or someone. Example: “The new regulations were introduced in the interests of public safety.”
• “To have a vested interest”: To have a personal stake or involvement in something that can influence one’s actions or decisions. Example: “As shareholders, they have a vested interest in the company’s success.”

Example Sentences

• Noun: “His primary interest lies in understanding the intricacies of the human mind.”
• Verb: “This novel really interests me; I can’t put it down.”
• Noun (financial): “The company borrowed a large sum at a fixed rate of interest.”

Synonyms

• Curiosity
• Involvement
• Enthusiasm
• Attention
• Engagement
• Investment (in the financial sense)
• Dividend (in the context of returns on investments)
• Concern (in the emotional sense)