interest

in|ter|est1 [ `ıntrəst ] noun ***

▸ 1 a need to know

▸ 2 activity you enjoy doing

▸ 3 money paid/received

▸ 4 quality attracting you

▸ 5 advantage/benefit

▸ 6 connection affecting someone

▸ 7 right to own part of something

▸ 8 group with same aim

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) singular or uncount a feeling of wanting to know about or take part in something:

interest in: an interest in politics

lose (all) interest (in): People are losing all interest in the election.

attract/arouse interest: The reports have aroused considerable interest.

with interest: The presidential race is being watched with interest all over the world.

show/express (an) interest (in): Apparently several buyers have expressed an interest in the deal.

To my relief, no one showed the slightest interest when I got up to leave.

have no interest in doing something: I have no interest in depriving you of what is rightfully yours.

take an interest in (=show you are interested in): What do you mean? asked Pat, now taking an interest in the proceedings.

have/feel (an) interest in: He has a particular interest in Italian art.

2. ) count often plural an activity that you enjoy doing when you are not working:

Tell us about your interests and hobbies.

3. ) uncount money that a person or institution such as a bank charges you for lending you money:

charge interest on something: an increase in the interest charged on personal loans

repay something with interest: You will repay the money with interest, as agreed in the contract.

a ) money that you receive from an institution such as a bank when you keep money in an account there:

earn interest on something: We can show you how you can earn a higher rate of interest on your savings.

4. ) uncount the quality that something has that makes you notice it and want to know about it or take part in it:

The scar added interest to a face that otherwise would have appeared too bland.

places of interest (=places that are interesting): The city has a multitude of museums and places of interest.

be of interest (to someone): publications that may be of interest to the self-employed

be of particular/special/considerable interest (to someone): Most major programs allow students to include subjects of special interest to them.

be of no interest (to someone): What you think is of no interest to me, Elaine said flatly.

=> HUMAN INTEREST

5. ) count or uncount an advantage or benefit to someone or something:

protect/safeguard/defend someone's interests: All he cares about is protecting his own interests.

be in your (own) interest(s) (=bring an advantage or benefit): It's in their own interests to cooperate.

have someone's (best) interests at heart (=want to help them): He claims he has only my best interests at heart.

be in someone's/something's (best) interest(s) (=bring an advantage or benefit): The president doesn't believe the plan is in the best interests of the company.

be in the public/national interest: Publication of the documents is not in the public interest.

6. ) count a connection with something that influences your attitude or behavior because you can gain an advantage from it:

have an interest in something: The United States had an interest in giving military aid because it provided jobs for American workers.

=> CONFLICT1

7. ) count BUSINESS a legal right to own part of a business or property:

He acquired interests in a number of mines in the area.

=> CONTROLLING INTEREST

8. ) count usually plural BUSINESS a group of organizations, especially businesses, that have a shared goal:

a private group funded by South African business interests

in the interest(s) of something

in order to preserve, develop, or achieve something:

It is vital that we reform the system in the interests of fairness to everyone.

(just) as a matter of interest/(just) out of interest

used for saying that you are asking a question because you are interested in finding out the answer and not for any other reason:

Just as a matter of interest, what were you really doing on Sunday?

pay someone back with interest

to do something even worse to someone than they have done to you, in order to punish them

interest

in|ter|est 2 [ `ıntrəst ] verb transitive **

to make someone want to know about or take part in something:

Oceanography has always interested me.

it may/might interest you to know/hear/learn etc. (that): It might interest you to learn that I've changed my opinion on that matter.

can/could I interest you in something

used as a polite way of persuading someone to do or try something:

Could I interest you in something from our range of beauty products?