interest
Interest is the feeling of wanting to give your attention to something or learn more about it. It also refers to an activity or a hobby that a person enjoys doing or studying in their free time.
Examples
3 of 5Cooking is my main interest outside of work.
Cooking is my main interest outside of work.
The applicant expressed a keen interest in the research department.
The applicant expressed a keen interest in the research department.
I have zero interest in watching that movie.
I have zero interest in watching that movie.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'nest' where you keep your favorite things; your 'inter-est' is the feeling that makes you want to put things in that nest.
Quick Quiz
She has a very strong _____ in learning how to play the piano.
Correct!
The correct answer is: interest
Examples
Cooking is my main interest outside of work.
everydayCooking is my main interest outside of work.
The applicant expressed a keen interest in the research department.
formalThe applicant expressed a keen interest in the research department.
I have zero interest in watching that movie.
informalI have zero interest in watching that movie.
Students must develop an interest in local history to pass the course.
academicStudents must develop an interest in local history to pass the course.
Our firm has a significant financial interest in the development of the new software.
businessOur firm has a significant financial interest in the development of the new software.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
take an interest in
take an interest in
conflict of interest
conflict of interest
in the interest of
in the interest of
Often Confused With
Interest is the noun (the thing/feeling), while interesting is the adjective used to describe something that causes that feeling.
Usage Notes
When talking about a specific topic, always use the preposition 'in' after 'interest' (e.g., interest in art). It can be used as an uncountable noun for a feeling or a countable noun for specific hobbies.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'I am interest in...' when they should say 'I have an interest in...' or 'I am interested in...'.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'nest' where you keep your favorite things; your 'inter-est' is the feeling that makes you want to put things in that nest.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin word 'interesse', which means 'to be between' or 'to make a difference'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking cultures, having 'common interests' is considered the most important foundation for building a friendship or relationship.
Quick Quiz
She has a very strong _____ in learning how to play the piano.
Correct!
The correct answer is: interest
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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