Interest — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈin-t(ə-)rəst/ in·ter·est

Meaning & Definition of Interest

Interest (noun)

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

Interest (verb)

  1. to engage the attention or arouse the interest of
  2. to induce or persuade to participate or engage

Interest (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: claim, share, stake
  2. 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"

    opposite: ill-being
  3. a commercial or industrial activity or organization

    "a multinational corporation with interests on every continent"

  4. 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"

Interest (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to hold the attention of

    "the book didn't interest me, so I ended up watching the parade of people on the sidewalk"

    near: bore, jade, pall, tire, weary

Related Entry: Interest group (noun)

Interest group is a different word from Interest. The synonyms below are for interest group, not for interest.

  1. a group of people with a common identifying interest that they seek to protect and promote

    "agricultural interest groups are adamantly opposed to the bill"

Related Entry: Interest groups (noun)

Interest groups is a different word from Interest. The synonyms below are for interest groups, not for interest.

  1. a group of people with a common identifying interest that they seek to protect and promote

    "agricultural interest groups are adamantly opposed to the bill"

Related Entry: Self-interest (noun)

Self-interest is a different word from Interest. The synonyms below are for self-interest, not for interest.

  1. excessive interest in oneself

    "her degree of self-interest is perhaps best reflected in her favorite topic of conversation—herself"

Related Entry: Special interest (noun)

Special interest is a different word from Interest. The synonyms below are for special interest, not for interest.

  1. a group of people with a common identifying interest that they seek to protect and promote

    "promised that as governor he would never be beholden to special interests"

Related Entry: Vested interest (noun)

Vested interest is a different word from Interest. The synonyms below are for vested interest, not for interest.

  1. a group that benefits from a particular social, economic, or political privilege

    "changes to the tax laws being challenged by vested interests"

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Interest

The most common words with a similar meaning to Interest:

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Interest

Words with the opposite meaning of Interest:

Near Antonyms of Interest

Word Forms of Interest

Inflections: interested, interesting, interests

Origin & Etymology of Interest

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 is

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Interest

Words & Phrases Containing Interest

Frequently Asked Questions about Interest

What does "Interest" mean?

"Interest" means a feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to something or someone, concern. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to something or someone, concern. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Interest"?

Other words for "Interest" include claim, share, stake, good, weal, welfare, well-being and business. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Interest" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Interest"?

There are 93 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Interest". Common alternatives include claim, share, stake, good, weal, welfare, well-being, business, company and concern.

What is the opposite of "Interest"?

Antonyms of "Interest" include ill-being. Near antonyms include unhealthiness, unsoundness, misery and sadness.

How do you use "Interest" in a sentence?

Examples of "Interest" in a sentence: "all of the workers at the food cooperative have an interest in it"; "make no mistake: she's determined to act in her own interest in this business deal"; "a multinational corporation with interests on every continent".

Is "Interest" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Interest" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Interest" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Interest" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Interest"?

"Interest" is pronounced /ˈin-t(ə-)rəst/ and divided into syllables as in·ter·est.