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| in·ter·est [ íntrəst ] |
noun (plural in·ter·ests) |
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| Definition: |
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1. curiosity or concern: a feeling of curiosity or concern about something that makes the attention turn toward it
  an interest in art
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2. quality that attracts attention: a power, quality, or aspect of something that attracts attention, concern, or curiosity
It's of no interest to me.
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3. enjoyable thing: something that somebody enjoys doing
(
often used in the plural
)
My leisure interests include sailing, music, reading, and walking.
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4. benefit or advantage: the good, benefit, or advantage of somebody or something
in the interests of peace
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5. involvement: somebody's involvement with something that makes its progress or success important to him or her
took a personal interest in the progress of the project
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6. borrowing charge or payment: a charge made for a loan or credit facility, or a payment made by a bank or other financial institution for the use of money deposited in an account
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7. share in something: a legal right to claim a share in something, especially in a business or property, or the business or property itself
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8. connection: a personal or commercial connection with something or somebody, especially when this prevents somebody from being objective or impartial
had to declare a conflict of interest
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plural noun in·ter·ests |
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| Definition: |
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influential group: a group of people in business or society who have the same objectives or support the same cause, especially a powerful or influential group
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transitive verb (past and past participle in·ter·est·ed, present participle in·ter·est·ing, 3rd person present singular in·ter·ests) |
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| Definition: |
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1. get somebody's attention: to attract or hold somebody's attention or arouse somebody's curiosity or concern
It may interest you to know that the building used to be a mortuary.
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2. make somebody want something: to make somebody want to have or buy something, do something, or become involved with something
I tried to interest him in helping with the preparations.
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| [15th century. Alteration of Anglo-Norman interesse< medieval Latin, "compensation for loss" < Latin, "differ, be important," by association with Old French interest "damage, loss" < Latin, "it matters"] |
