Interested — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective verb /ˈin-t(ə-)rə-stəd/ in·ter·est·ed

Meaning & Definition of Interested

Interested (adjective)

  1. having the attention engaged
  2. being affected or involved

Interested (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in involved, engaged

    similar: engaged, intrigued, involved, absorbed, attentive, deep, engrossed, enthralled, focused, immersed, intent, observant, rapt, hypnotized, mesmerized, alert, alive, conscious, open-eyed, watchful, wide-awake
    opposite: absent, absentminded, abstracted, distracted, inattentive, inobservant, unabsorbed, unfocused, daydreaming, dreamy, faraway, foggy, hazy, lost, oblivious, preoccupied, remote, apathetic, disinterested, uninterested

  2. as in concerned

    similar: concerned, inquisitional, inquisitorial, interrogative, questioning, quizzical, interfering, intrusive, meddlesome, meddling, obtrusive, officious, curious, inquisitive, nosy, prying, snoopy
    opposite: incurious, uncurious, apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, unconcerned, uninterested

Interested (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"

    similar: absorbed, bemused, busied, caught up, engaged, engrossed, enthralled, enwrapped, fascinated, gripped, immersed, intrigued, involved, occupied, caught one's eye
    related: allured, attracted, beguiled, bewitched, captivated, charmed, enchanted, obsessed, hypnotized, mesmerized, distracted, preoccupied, hogged, monopolized
    near: bored, jaded, palled, tired, wearied

Related Entry: Interest (verb)

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

  1. to hold the attention of

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

    similar: absorb, bemuse, busy, catch up, engage, engross, enthrall, enwrap, fascinate, grip, immerse, intrigue, involve, occupy, catch one's eye
    related: allure, attract, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, obsess, hypnotize, mesmerize, distract, preoccupy, hog, monopolize
    near: bore, jade, pall, tire, weary

Related Entry: Self-interested (adjective)

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

  1. overly concerned with one's own desires, needs, or interests

    "a staggeringly self-interested careerist who is eminently indifferent to anything that does not affect his personal well-being"

    similar: egocentric, egoistic, egomaniacal, egotistic, narcissistic, self-absorbed, self-centered, self-concerned, self-infatuated, self-involved, self-loving, self-obsessed, self-oriented, self-preoccupied, self-regarding, self-seeking, self-serving, selfish, solipsistic
    related: inner-directed, complacent, conceited, overweening, pompous, prideful, proud, self-complacent, self-conceited, self-contented, self-directed, self-glorifying, self-important, self-indulgent, self-opinionated, self-pleased, self-satisfied, smug, vain, vainglorious
    opposite: self-forgetful, self-forgetting, selfless, unselfish
    near: altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, charitable, generous, greathearted, humanitarian, magnanimous, philanthropic, self-denying, self-giving, self-sacrificing, other-directed, diffident, self-doubting, self-flagellating, self-questioning, self-reflective

Related Entry: Self-interest (noun)

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

  1. excessive interest in oneself

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

    similar: egocentricity, egocentrism, egoism, egomania, egotism, narcissism, navel-gazing, self-absorption, self-centeredness, self-concern, self-involvement, self-preoccupation, self-regard, selfishness, selfness
    related: complacence, complacency, conceit, conceitedness, ego, pomposity, pompousness, pride, pridefulness, self-admiration, self-conceit, self-esteem, self-importance, self-indulgence, self-love, self-partiality, self-respect, self-satisfaction, self-sufficiency, smugness, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vainness, vanity, self-assumption, self-consequence, self-content, self-contentment, self-glorification
    opposite: self-abandonment, self-forgetfulness, selflessness, unselfishness
    near: altruism, generosity, magnanimity, self-sacrifice, detachment, disinterestedness, fairness, impartiality, neutrality, objectivity, self-flagellation, self-annihilation, self-immolation

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Interested

The most common words with a similar meaning to Interested:

engaged, intrigued, involved, absorbed, attentive, deep, engrossed, enthralled, focused, immersed, intent, observant, rapt, hypnotized, mesmerized, alert, alive, conscious, open-eyed, watchful, wide-awake, concerned, inquisitional, inquisitorial, interrogative, questioning, quizzical, interfering, intrusive, meddlesome, meddling, obtrusive, officious, curious, inquisitive, nosy, prying, snoopy, bemused, busied

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Interested

Words with the opposite meaning of Interested:

absent, absentminded, abstracted, distracted, inattentive, inobservant, unabsorbed, unfocused, daydreaming, dreamy, faraway, foggy, hazy, lost, oblivious, preoccupied, remote, apathetic, disinterested, uninterested, incurious, uncurious, indifferent, unconcerned

Related Words for Interested

allured, attracted, beguiled, bewitched, captivated, charmed, enchanted, obsessed, distracted, preoccupied, hogged, monopolized

Near Antonyms of Interested

bored, jaded, palled, tired, wearied

Word Forms of Interested

Derived words: interestedly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Interested

First known use: 1602

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Interested

Frequently Asked Questions about Interested

What does "Interested" mean?

"Interested" means having the attention engaged. As an an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: having the attention engaged. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Interested"?

Other words for "Interested" include engaged, intrigued, involved, absorbed, attentive, deep, engrossed and enthralled. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Interested" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Interested"?

There are 58 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Interested". Common alternatives include engaged, intrigued, involved, absorbed, attentive, deep, engrossed, enthralled, focused and immersed.

What is the opposite of "Interested"?

Antonyms of "Interested" include absent, absentminded, abstracted, distracted, inattentive, inobservant, unabsorbed and unfocused. Near antonyms include bored, jaded, palled and tired.

How do you use "Interested" in a sentence?

Examples of "Interested" in a sentence: "the book didn't interest me, so I ended up watching the parade of people on the sidewalk".

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

"Interested" can be used as an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

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

As an A1-level word, "Interested" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Interested"?

"Interested" is pronounced /ˈin-t(ə-)rə-stəd/ and divided into syllables as in·ter·est·ed.