the feeling of a person whose attention, concern, or curiosity is particularly engaged by something

She has a great interest in the poetry of Donne.

something that concerns, involves, draws the attention of, or arouses the curiosity of a person

His interests are philosophy and chess.

power of exciting such concern, involvement, etc.; quality of being interesting

political issues of great interest.

concern; importance

a matter of primary interest.

a business, cause, or the like in which a person has a share, concern, responsibility, etc.

a share, right, or title in the ownership of property, in a commercial or financial undertaking, or the like

He bought half an interest in the store.

a participation in or concern for a cause, advantage, responsibility, etc.

a number or group of persons, or a party, financially interested in the same business, industry, or enterprise

the banking interest.

interests, the group of persons or organizations having extensive financial or business power.

the state of being affected by something in respect to advantage or detriment

We need an arbiter who is without interest in the outcome.

benefit; advantage

to have one's own interest in mind.

regard for one's own advantage or profit; self-interest

The partnership dissolved because of their conflicting interests.

influence from personal importance or capability; power of influencing the action of others.

Finance .

a sum paid or charged for the use of money or for borrowing money.

such a sum expressed as a percentage of money borrowed to be paid over a given period, usually one year.

something added or thrown in above an exact equivalent

Jones paid him back with a left hook and added a right uppercut for interest.

to engage or excite the attention or curiosity of

Mystery stories interested him greatly.

to concern (a person, nation, etc.) in something; involve

The fight for peace interests all nations.

to cause to take a personal concern or share; induce to participate

to interest a person in an enterprise.

to cause to be concerned; affect. ?

in the interest(s) of

to the advantage or advancement of; in behalf of

in the interests of good government.

noun

apathy , boredom , disinterest , indifference , disadvantage , ennui , unconcern

verb

bore , bother , disenchant , disinterest

noun

absorption , activity , affection , attentiveness , care , case , concern , concernment , consequence , diversion , engrossment , enthusiasm , excitement , game , hobby , importance , interestedness , into , leisure activity , matter , moment , note , notice , passion , pastime , preoccupation , pursuit , racket , recreation , regard , relaxation , relevance , significance , sport , suspicion , sympathy , thing , benefit , gain , good , profit , prosperity , welfare , well-being , accrual , authority , bonus , claim , commitment , credit , discount , due , earnings , influence , involvement , participation , percentage , piece , points , portion , premium , right , stake , title , curiousness , inquisitiveness , advantage , affinity , attraction , behoof , consciousness , curiosity , cynosure , fixation , part , polestar , share , topicality , usury , vested interest , weal

verb

affect , amuse , appeal , appeal to , arouse , attract , be interesting to , concern , divert , engage , engross , entertain , enthrall , excite , fascinate , grab , hook , intrigue , involve , lure , move , perk up , pique , please , pull , sit up , snare , tantalize , tempt , titillate , touch , turn on , advantage , attraction , behalf , benefit , credit , curiosity , dabble , earnings , enthusiasm , haunt , hobby , influence , investment , obsess , part , passion , points , preoccupy , pursuit , recreation , rivet , share , stake , sympathy , welfare