interest

A feeling of wanting to know more about something or spend time doing it.

• She has an interest in music.
• The children showed great interest in the animals.
• I lost interest halfway through the film.

How to use it: interest in something/doing something (He has an interest in learning languages.)

Similar words: curiosity, enthusiasm

Opposites: indifference

Common phrases: interest in something, show interest, take an interest, keen interest

Extra money you pay for borrowing money, or receive for keeping money in a bank.

• You pay interest on the loan.
• This account earns very little interest.
• How much interest did the bank charge?

How to use it: interest on something (The bank pays interest on your savings.)

Similar words: oker

Common phrases: interest rate, pay interest, earn interest, interest on savings

A reason to care about something because it can affect your life or help you.

• Residents have an interest in cleaner streets.
• It is in her interest to finish quickly.
• The lawyer must protect his client’s interests.

How to use it: have an interest in something/doing something (Local families have an interest in keeping the park open.); in someone’s interest (It is in your interest to read the contract.)

Similar words: stake, benefit

Common phrases: vested interest, personal interest, in someone’s interest

A share in a business or property, or a legal right connected with it.

• She owns an interest in the hotel.
• They sold their business interests abroad.
• He acquired a controlling interest in the company.

How to use it: an interest in something (The firm bought an interest in a shipping company.)

Similar words: stake, share, holding

Common phrases: business interest, controlling interest, financial interest

To make someone want to know more about something.

• Does science interest you?
• The story interested all the children.
• She is interested in learning Spanish.

How to use it: interest someone in something (The teacher interested us in local history.); be interested in something/doing something (I am interested in growing vegetables.)

Similar words: engage, intrigue, attract

Opposites: bore

Common phrases: interest someone, interest someone in something