interest

noun

UK /ˈɪntrəst/

Word Forms

singular	interest
plural	interests

1
singular/uncountable a feeling of wanting to know about or take part in something
interest in:
an interest in politics
have/feel (an) interest in:
He has a particular interest in Italian art.
have no interest in doing something:
I have no interest in depriving you of what is rightfully yours.
take an interest in (=show you are interested in):
‘What do you mean?’ asked Pat, now taking an interest in the proceedings.
show/express (an) interest (in):
Apparently several buyers have expressed an interest in the deal.
To my relief, no one showed the slightest interest when I got up to leave.
attract/arouse interest:
The reports have aroused considerable interest.
lose (all) interest (in):
People are losing all interest in the election.
with interest:
The presidential race is being watched with interest all over the world.
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of interest
interest
motivation
involvement
2
uncountable the quality that something has that makes you notice it and want to know about it or take part in it
The scar added interest to a face that otherwise would have appeared too bland.
places of interest (=places that are interesting):
The city has a multitude of museums and places of interest.
be of interest (to someone):
publications that may be of interest to the self-employed
be of no interest (to someone):
‘What you think is of no interest to me’, Elaine said flatly.
be of particular/special/considerable interest (to someone):
Most degree courses allow students to include subjects of special interest to them.
Synonyms and related words
Features and qualities
feature
quality
factor
See alsohuman interest
3
countable often pluralan activity that you enjoy doing when you are not working
Tell us about your interests and hobbies.
Synonyms and related words
Enjoyable things and experiences
activity
amusement
binge
4
uncountable businessmoney that a person or institution such as a bank charges you for lending you money
charge interest on something:
an increase in the interest charged on personal loans
repay something with interest:
You will repay the money with interest, as agreed in the contract.
Synonyms and related words
General words relating to banking
a/c
APR
a run on something
1. 4a
  money that you receive from an institution such as a bank when you keep money in an account there
  earn interest on something:
  We can show you how you can earn a higher rate of interest on your savings.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words relating to banking
  a/c
  APR
  a run on something
5
countable/uncountable an advantage or benefit to someone or something
protect/safeguard/defend someone’s interests:
All he cares about is protecting his own interests.
be in your (own) interest(s) (=bring an advantage or benefit):
It’s in their own interests to cooperate.
be in someone’s/something’s (best) interest(s) (=bring an advantage or benefit):
The council doesn’t believe the scheme is in the best interests of pupils.
have someone’s (best) interests at heart (=want to help them):
He claims he has only my best interests at heart.
be in the public/national interest:
Publication of the documents is not in the public interest.
Synonyms and related words
Advantages and benefits
advantage
benefit
good
6
countable a connection with something that influences your attitude or behaviour because you can gain an advantage from it
have an interest in something:
The United States had an interest in giving military aid because it provided jobs for American workers.
declare an interest in something:
I declare an interest in this matter, as I am the parliamentary adviser to the Association.
Synonyms and related words
Advantages and benefits
advantage
benefit
good
See alsoconflict
7
countable businessa legal right to own part of a business or property
He acquired interests in a number of mines in the area.
Synonyms and related words
The law, laws and parts of laws
act
adjective law
the administration of justice
See alsocontrolling interest
8
countable usually pluralbusinessa group of organizations, especially businesses, that have a shared aim
a private group funded by South African business interests
Synonyms and related words
Business partners and partnership
amalgamate
amalgamation
Bros
9
out of interest
you can say this before asking for information you’re interested in, but have no intention of using for any other purpose
Just out of interest, does anyone know if you can hire the equipment on board?
Submitted by:
Maggie L from New Zealand on 11/07/2017
Open Dictionary - July2017

phrases

in the interest(s) of something

(just) as a matter of interest/(just) out of interest

pay someone back with interest

interest

noun

US /ˈɪntrəst/

Word Forms

singular	interest
plural	interests

1
singular/uncountable a feeling of wanting to know about or take part in something
interest in:
an interest in politics
lose (all) interest (in):
People are losing all interest in the election.
attract/arouse interest:
The reports have aroused considerable interest.
with interest:
The presidential race is being watched with interest all over the world.
show/express (an) interest (in):
Apparently several buyers have expressed an interest in the deal.
To my relief, no one showed the slightest interest when I got up to leave.
have no interest in doing something:
I have no interest in depriving you of what is rightfully yours.
take an interest in (=show you are interested in):
“What do you mean?” asked Pat, now taking an interest in the proceedings.
have/feel (an) interest in:
He has a particular interest in Italian art.
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of interest
interest
motivation
involvement
2
countable often pluralan activity that you enjoy doing when you are not working
Tell us about your interests and hobbies.
Synonyms and related words
Enjoyable things and experiences
activity
amusement
binge
3
uncountable businessmoney that a person or institution such as a bank charges you for lending you money
charge interest on something:
an increase in the interest charged on personal loans
repay something with interest:
You will repay the money with interest, as agreed in the contract.
Synonyms and related words
General words relating to banking
APR
a run on something
balance
1. 3a
  money that you receive from an institution such as a bank when you keep money in an account there
  earn interest on something:
  We can show you how you can earn a higher rate of interest on your savings.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words relating to banking
  APR
  a run on something
  balance
4
uncountable the quality that something has that makes you notice it and want to know about it or take part in it
The scar added interest to a face that otherwise would have appeared too bland.
places of interest (=places that are interesting):
The city has a multitude of museums and places of interest.
be of interest (to someone):
publications that may be of interest to the self-employed
be of particular/special/considerable interest (to someone):
Most major programs allow students to include subjects of special interest to them.
be of no interest (to someone):
“What you think is of no interest to me,” Elaine said flatly.
Synonyms and related words
Features and qualities
feature
quality
factor
See alsohuman interest
5
countable/uncountable an advantage or benefit to someone or something
protect/safeguard/defend someone’s interests:
All he cares about is protecting his own interests.
be in your (own) interest(s) (=bring an advantage or benefit):
It’s in their own interest to cooperate.
have someone’s (best) interests at heart (=want to help them):
He claims he has only my best interests at heart.
be in someone’s/something’s (best) interest(s) (=bring an advantage or benefit):
The president doesn’t believe the plan is in the best interest of the company.
be in the public/national interest:
Publication of the documents is not in the public interest.
Synonyms and related words
Advantages and benefits
advantage
benefit
good
6
countable a connection with something that influences your attitude or behavior because you can gain an advantage from it
have an interest in something:
The United States had an interest in giving military aid because it provided jobs for American workers.
Synonyms and related words
Advantages and benefits
advantage
benefit
good
See alsoconflict
7
countable businessa legal right to own part of a business or property
He acquired interests in a number of mines in the area.
Synonyms and related words
The law, laws and parts of laws
act
adjective law
the administration of justice
See alsocontrolling interest
8
countable usually pluralbusinessa group of organizations, especially businesses, that have a shared goal
a private group funded by South African business interests
Synonyms and related words
Business partners and partnership
amalgamate
amalgamation
Bros.
9
out of interest
you can say this before asking for information you’re interested in, but have no intention of using for any other purpose
Just out of interest, does anyone know if you can hire the equipment on board?
Submitted by:
Maggie L from New Zealand on 11/07/2017
Open Dictionary - July2017

phrases

in the interest(s) of something

(just) as a matter of interest/(just) out of interest

pay someone back with interest

interest

verb transitive

UK /ˈɪntrəst/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	interest
he/she/it	interests
present participle	interesting
past tense	interested
past participle	interested

1
to make someone want to know about or take part in something
Oceanography has always interested me.
interest someone in something:
We were hoping to interest the buyer in our new line of merchandise.
it may/might interest you to know/hear/learn etc (that):
It might interest you to learn that I’ve changed my opinion on that matter.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone feel excited, enthusiastic or impressed
inspire
attract
interest

phrases

can/could I interest you in something

interest

verb transitive

US /ˈɪntrəst/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	interest
he/she/it	interests
present participle	interesting
past tense	interested
past participle	interested

1
to make someone want to know about or take part in something
Oceanography has always interested me.
interest someone in something:
We were hoping to interest the buyer in our new line of merchandise.
it may/might interest you to know/hear/learn etc. (that):
It might interest you to learn that I’ve changed my opinion on that matter.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone feel excited, enthusiastic or impressed
inspire
attract
interest

phrases

can/could I interest you in something

interest ​‌‌‌

out of interest

interest ​‌‌‌

out of interest

interest ​‌‌

interest ​‌‌

interest

interest

interest

interest