interest
Looking for the meaning of interest? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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The price paid for obtaining, or price received for providing, money or goods in a credit transaction, calculated as a fraction of the amount or value of what was borrowed.
“Our bank offers borrowers an annual interest of 5%.”
Any excess over and above an exact equivalent
A great attention and concern from someone or something; intellectual curiosity.
“He has a lot of interest in vintage cars.”
Attention that is given to or received from someone or something.
An involvement, claim, right, share, stake in or link with a financial, business, or other undertaking or endeavor.
“I have business interests in South Africa.”
Something or someone one is interested in.
“Lexicography is one of my interests.”
Condition or quality of exciting concern or being of importance
Injury, or compensation for injury; damages.
(usually in the plural) The persons interested in any particular business or measure, taken collectively.
“the iron interest; the cotton interest”
To engage the attention of; to awaken interest in; to excite emotion or passion in, in behalf of a person or thing.
“Action films don't really interest me.”
To be concerned with or engaged in; to affect; to concern; to excite.
To cause or permit to share.
Understanding "interest"
The word **"interest"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/ˈɪntəɹɪst/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"interest"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "interest" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "interest" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "interest" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /ˈɪntəɹɪst/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "interest" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "interest" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "interest" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "interest". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/ˈɪntəɹɪst/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "interest" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use interest in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "interest" can be used in academic and casual conversations.