n.
1 attention, attentiveness, concern, regard, curiosity, scrutiny, notice, engagement:
The way the puzzle fitted together drew my interest. She examined the books with interest. She shows interest in taking a writing course
2 concern, significance, importance, weight, moment, note, consequence:
Of what interest is a newly found painting by Tiepolo?
3 Often, interests. profit, advantage, benefit, good, avail, worth, value, consideration, behalf, behoof:
Is it in our interest to sell the business?
4 share, portion, stake, investment, piece, cut, percentage, participation, involvement:
I have a small interest in an emerald mine.
5 Often, interests. business, concern, affair, property; hobby, pastime, diversion, avocation, amusement, entertainment, pursuit, relaxation, occupation:
She travels abroad to look after her interests. Caroline has many interests besides business
6 (lending) fee or charge, percentage, rate, Slang US vigorish:
How much interest would the bank charge on a $40,000 mortgage?
v.
7 engage, absorb, engross, attract, draw, catch, capture, captivate, hold, fascinate, intrigue, excite, incite, provoke, arouse, affect, quicken, infect, animate, kindle, fire:
At that time, our daughter was interested only in boys. There is something about astronomy that interests me
8 influence, induce, persuade, move, tempt, involve, enrol, enlist, dispose, incline, prevail upon, talk into, concern:
Could I interest you in investing in my company?
noun
1 desire to learn/hear more about sb/sth
ADJ.
avid, burning, close, considerable, consuming, deep, great, intense, keen, lively, passionate, strong
The police were starting to take a close interest in the company's activities. She always had a great interest in the supernatural.
| particular | growing, increasing | slightest
He's never shown the slightest interest in football.
| general, widespread | worldwide | serious | genuine | abiding, lifelong | passing | renewed | added
I'll watch the programme with added interest now I know you're in it.
| active | passive | polite
He showed a polite interest in her story.
| personal | media
The event attracted a lot of media interest.
VERB + INTEREST
have | evince, express, show, take
My cousin expressed an interest in seeing where I work.
| feign, simulate
She feigned interest in a magazine article to avoid meeting the man's stare.
| lose | arouse, attract, awaken, caught, drum up, excite, generate, kindle, spark, stimulate, stir up, whip up
A sticker on a bag caught my interest. The government failed to drum up any public interest in the referendum. A childhood journey sparked his lifelong interest in railways.
| develop
While in prison he developed an interest in art.
| maintain, sustain
Despite intensive publicity, Channel 4 failed to maintain interest in its expensive new show.
| revive
INTEREST + VERB
grow | flag, wane
The children's interest began to flag after half an hour of the lesson.
PREP.
for/out of ~
I'm asking purely out of interest.
| with ~
They listened with interest.
| ~ among
to stimulate interest among teachers
| ~ from
growing interest from younger members
| ~ in
She took an active interest in their welfare.
2 quality that attracts attention
ADJ.
great | particular
Her comments are of particular interest to me.
| broad, general, wide | architectural, artistic, historic/historical, scientific | academic
Since the championship has already been decided, this match is of purely academic interest.
| human
a plot devoid of human interest
| love
Angelina Jolie supplies the love interest in the film.
VERB + INTEREST
be of
His books are of no interest to me at all.
| hold no
Their conversation held no interest for me.
| add
Bushes that flower in winter will add interest to your garden.
| supply
INTEREST + VERB
lie in
The interest of the painting lies in its unusual use of colour.
PREP.
of ~
a building of greatarchitectural interest
3 sth you enjoy doing/learning about
ADJ.
diverse, varied, wide, wide-ranging | private | artistic, musical, etc.
VERB + INTEREST
have | share | pursue
He wanted time to pursue his many and varied musical interests.
4 money earned from investments
ADJ.
annual, monthly, etc. | compound, simple
VERB + INTEREST
earn, make, receive | pay | charge
INTEREST + VERB
accrue, bear
INTEREST + NOUN
rate | payment | charge
PREP.
~ on
to pay interest on a loan
PHRASES
a rate of interest
a mortgage with a fixed/flexible rate of interest
5 benefits that sth has for sb
ADJ.
best
It's not in your best interests to let your boss know you're looking for a new job.
| self-, selfish | common, mutual | competing, contradictory | long-term, short-term | narrow
narrow sectional interests
| direct
Lawyers have a direct financial interest in the outcome of the debate.
| paramount, vital | vested | national, public | class, sectional | foreign, outside | economic, financial, political, strategic, etc.
VERB + INTEREST
defend, guard, look after, protect, safeguard | act in, advance, champion, further, promote, serve
He claimed to be acting in the public interest.
| represent | act against, jeopardize, threaten
INTEREST + VERB
lie in sth | be at stake
INTEREST + NOUN
group
Various interest groups have expressed their opposition to the policy.
PREP.
against sb/sth's ~(s)
The solicitor refused to act against his client's interests.
| contrary to sb/sth's ~
The union refused to support proposals that it saw as contrary to the interests of its members.
| in sb/sth's ~(s)
New work practices were introduced in the interests of efficiency.
| of ~
We met to discuss matters of common interest.
| out of ~
He was obviously acting purely out of selfish interest.
PHRASES
a conflict of interests
One member of the planning committee had a conflict of interests as he lived near the proposed motorway.
| have sb's (best) interests at heart
Although he was sometimes too strict with his children, he had their best interests at heart.
6 legal right to share in profits
ADJ.
powerful | controlling, majority | minority | joint | banking, business, commercial, shipping
VERB + INTEREST
have
He has controlling interests in several ventures.
| sell
PREP.
~ in
verb
ADV.
greatly, particularly, really, very much
It is this aspect of the work that really interests me.
VERB + INTEREST
try to
She tried to interest the director in her scheme.
Latest queries: absorbent, shade, serve, full-on, Atmosphere, queer, apotheosis, seating, trust, Keeps, family, water lily, shake, cause, shameless, CANDLE, board, destroyer, rood screen, interest,