interest

/ˈɪntrəst/

Reviewed on

Also a verb

Meaning

  1. The feeling of wanting to know, learn, or be involved with something or someone.

    • Her lifelong interest in architecture led her to design sustainable urban buildings.

  2. Money paid regularly at a particular rate for the use of borrowed money or for delaying the repayment of a debt.

    • He pays high interest on his credit card balances each month.

  3. A legal share, stake, or financial involvement in an undertaking or property.

    • The investor purchased a controlling interest in the medical technology company.

  4. The advantage, benefit, or welfare of a particular person or group.

    • The board argued that the merger was not in the best interest of the shareholders.

Collocations

  • interest rate
  • spark an interest
  • lose interest
  • compound interest
  • controlling interest
  • best interest
  • express an interest
  • conflict of interest

Synonyms

  • curiosity
  • fascination
  • stake
  • advantage

Antonyms

  • boredom
  • indifference

Idioms

  • in the interest of

    for the sake of

    In the interest of safety, all visitors must wear hard hats.

  • with interest

    with extra measure, often referring to retaliation or repayment

    She promised to return the insult with interest at their next meeting.