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   interest

   /ˈɪntrɪst/

   noun

   • 1. the feeling of wanting to know or learn about something or someone: "she looked about her with interest" Similar attentivenessundivided attentionabsorptionengrossmentheedregardnoticescrutinycuriosityinquisitivenessenjoymentdelightOpposite boredom
   • ▪ the quality of exciting curiosity or holding the attention: "a tale full of interest" Similar attractionappealfascinationcharmbeautyallureallurementtemptationtantalization
   • ▪ an activity or subject which one enjoys doing or studying: "their sole interests are soccer, drink, and cars" Similar hobbypastimeleisure activityleisure pursuitrecreationentertainmentdiversionamusementrelaxationpassionenthusiasminformal:thingbagscenecup of tea
   • 2. money paid regularly at a particular rate for the use of money lent, or for delaying the repayment of a debt: "the monthly rate of interest" Similar dividendsprofitsreturnsa percentagea gain
   • 3. the advantage or benefit of a person or group: "the merger is not contrary to the public interest" Similar concernbusinessbusiness mattermattercareaffairs
   • ▪ the selfish pursuit of one's own welfare; self-interest. archaic
   • 4. a stake or involvement in an undertaking, especially a financial one: "holders of voting rights must disclose their interests" Similar stakeshareportionclaiminvestmentstockequityinvolvementparticipationconcerninvolvementpartialitypartisanshippreferenceloyaltyone-sidednessfavouritismbiasprejudice
   • ▪ a legal concern, title, or right in property: "third parties having an interest in a building"
   • 5. a group or organization having a common concern, especially in politics or business: "food interests in Scotland must continue to invest"

   verb

   • 1. excite the curiosity or attention of (someone): "I thought the book might interest Eliot" Similar be of interest toappeal toattractbe attractive tointriguefascinateabsorbengrossrivetgripholdcaptivateamusedivertentertainarouse one's curiositywhet one's appetitehold one's attentionengage one's attentioninformal:float someone's boattickle someone's fancylight someone's firearouse someone's interest inpersuade to buysellOpposite bore
   • ▪ persuade someone to undertake or acquire (something): "efforts were made to interest her in a purchase"

   Word Origin late Middle English (originally as interess): from Anglo-Norman French interesse, from Latin interesse ‘differ, be important’, from inter- ‘between’ + esse ‘be’. The -t was added partly by association with Old French interest ‘damage, loss’, apparently from Latin interest ‘it is important’. The original sense was ‘the possession of a share in or a right to something’; hence interest (sense 4 of the noun). interest (sense 1 of the noun) and the verb arose in the 18th century interest (sense 2 of the noun) was influenced by medieval Latin interesse ‘compensation for a debtor's defaulting’.

   Scrabble Points: 8

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