interest
noun
[ ˈɪnt(ə)rɪst ]
• the feeling of wanting to know or learn about something or someone.
• "she looked about her with interest"
Similar:
attentiveness,
undivided attention,
absorption,
engrossment,
heed,
regard,
notice,
scrutiny,
curiosity,
inquisitiveness,
enjoyment,
delight,
• 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:
dividends,
profits,
returns,
a percentage,
a gain,
• the advantage or benefit of a person or group.
• "the merger is not contrary to the public interest"
Similar:
concern,
business,
business matter,
matter,
care,
affairs,
of benefit to,
to the advantage of,
for the sake of,
for the benefit of,
• a stake or involvement in an undertaking, especially a financial one.
• "holders of voting rights must disclose their interests"
Similar:
stake,
share,
portion,
claim,
investment,
stock,
equity,
involvement,
participation,
concern,
partiality,
partisanship,
preference,
loyalty,
one-sidedness,
favouritism,
bias,
prejudice,
• a group or organization having a common concern, especially in politics or business.
• "food interests in Scotland must continue to invest"
interest
verb
• excite the curiosity or attention of (someone).
• "I thought the book might interest Eliot"
Similar:
be of interest to,
appeal to,
attract,
be attractive to,
intrigue,
fascinate,
absorb,
engross,
rivet,
grip,
hold,
captivate,
amuse,
divert,
entertain,
arouse one's curiosity,
whet one's appetite,
hold one's attention,
engage one's attention,
float someone's boat,
tickle someone's fancy,
light someone's fire,
arouse someone's interest in,
persuade to buy,
sell,
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’.
