interest
IHN-trehst
Interest (noun) means a feeling of wanting to know more about something or pay attention to it. Example: “She has always had an interest in astronomy.”
noun
1
A feeling of wanting to know more about something or pay attention to it.
"She has always had an interest in astronomy."
"His interest in the project faded once the funding ran out."
"The children showed great interest in the insects under the log."
2
Money charged or earned on a loan or savings, calculated as a percentage of the amount involved.
"The bank charges 6% interest on the loan."
"Her savings account earns a small amount of interest each month."
"You will pay interest on the overdraft until it is cleared."
3
A stake, share, or legal claim in something, especially a business or property.
"He sold his interest in the company after the merger."
"She holds a small interest in her uncle's restaurant."
"The two partners each own an equal interest in the building."
verb
1
To make someone want to know more about something or pay attention to it.
"The documentary interested him enough to read the whole book."
"Football has never really interested me, I'm afraid."
"Does this offer interest you, or should I keep looking?"
How to use interest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither curiosity/attention toward something, the extra money paid on a loan or earned on savings, or a legal share/stake in something.
Common mistake
Don't confuse a financial "interest" (a stake or share) with everyday "interest" (curiosity) — both spellings are identical but the meanings are quite different.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
show interest
earn interest
a vested interest
in the interest of
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Word forms
- Plural
- interests
- Third person singular
- interests
- Past tense
- interested
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She has always had an _____ in astronomy.
Etymology
From Old French interesse, from Latin interesse, literally "to be between, to matter."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for interest
See all rhymes for interest →Frequently asked questions
What does “interest” mean?
The word “interest” means a feeling of wanting to know more about something or pay attention to it. In plain terms, either curiosity/attention toward something, the extra money paid on a loan or earned on savings, or a legal share/stake in something.
How do you pronounce “interest”?
“Interest” is pronounced IHN-trehst (/ˈɪn.tɹɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “interest” in a sentence?
Here is “interest” used in a sentence: “She has always had an interest in astronomy.”
What is the opposite of “interest”?
The opposite of “interest” — its antonyms — are bore and disinterest.
What part of speech is “interest”?
Depending on how it is used, “interest” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “interest” come from?
The word “interest” comes from Latin. From Old French interesse, from Latin interesse, literally "to be between, to matter.".
Is “interest” a common word?
“Interest” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “interest” have?
“Interest” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a feeling of wanting to know more about something or pay attention to it.
What is the difference between interest and curiosity?
Curiosity is the urge to find out — a quick spark of 'why?' or 'what's that?' Interest is a steadier, deeper pull toward a subject that holds your attention over time. Curiosity often starts the spark; interest is what keeps you engaged and wanting to learn more well after the first question.
Does 'interest' mean the same as money on a loan?
No — that's a different meaning of the same word. Here, 'interest' is the feeling of wanting to know more or pay attention to something. In finance, 'interest' is the charge paid for borrowing money, or the amount earned on savings. Same spelling, unrelated senses; context makes clear which one applies.
What is the difference between an interest and a hobby?
An interest is a subject or activity that draws your attention — you enjoy learning or thinking about it. A hobby is something you actively do for pleasure in your spare time. Astronomy can be an interest; building a telescope is a hobby. Interests are often broader than the hobbies they inspire.
Can interest be developed?
Yes. Interest often grows through exposure and small successes — the more you learn about something, the more engaging it tends to become. Good teachers and positive experiences spark it, and curiosity feeds it. What starts as mild attention can deepen into a lasting passion given time and encouragement.
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