interest

Noun

• a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)
  • sailing is her favorite pastime
    
  • his main pastime is gambling
    
  • he counts reading among his interests
    
  • they criticized the boy for his limited pursuits
    

• (usually plural) a social group whose members control some field of activity and who have common aims
  • the iron interests stepped up production
    

• (law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something
  • they have interests all over the world
    
  • a stake in the company's future
    

• a fixed charge for borrowing money; usually a percentage of the amount borrowed
  • how much interest do you pay on your mortgage?
    

• the power of attracting or holding one's attention (because it is unusual or exciting etc.)
  • they said nothing of great interest
    
  • primary colors can add interest to a room
    

• a reason for wanting something done
  • for your sake
    
  • died for the sake of his country
    
  • in the interest of safety
    
  • in the common interest
    

• a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
  • an interest in music
    

Verb

• be of importance or consequence
  • This matters to me!
    

• be on the mind of
  • I worry about the second Germanic consonant shift
    

• excite the curiosity of; engage the interest of

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  pastime , pursuit , interest group , stake , interestingness , sake , involvement , matter to , concern , occupy , worry
• Antonyms: 
  uninterestingness , bore , tire