Interest Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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interest
[หษชntrษชst ]
Definitions
financial
A sum paid regularly at a particular rate for the use of money lent, or for delaying the repayment of a debt.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| interest |
Could also mean the attraction or curiosity one has in a particular subject or activity.
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| dividend |
Refers to a payment made by a corporation to its shareholders, usually from profits. Common in discussions about corporate finance and investments.
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| yield |
Commonly used to describe the income generated by an investment, typically in bonds or agriculture, usually expressed as a percentage.
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| return |
Refers to the gain or loss on an investment over a specific period, often expressed as a percentage. Used in investment contexts.
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Examples of usage
- The bank pays interest on savings accounts.
- She was charged 10% interest on the loan.
attention
The feeling of wanting to know or learn about something or someone.
Synonyms
curiosity, enthusiasm, fascination.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| interest |
General attention or concern about something, which can be professional, academic, or personal.
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| curiosity |
Desire to learn or know about something, often driven by a sense of wonder or questioning; itโs often more informal and natural.
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| fascination |
A very strong interest or attraction that something holds, often implying a sense of being enchanted or mesmerized.
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| enthusiasm |
Intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval; it usually implies a higher level of excitement and positive energy.
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Examples of usage
- She had an interest in art history.
- His interest in the project was evident.
concern
To engage the attention or curiosity of; to excite the interest of.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| interest |
Used when something grabs someone's attention or curiosity in a general manner.
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| engage |
Used when encouraging interaction or participation, often implying active involvement or attention.
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| captivate |
Used when something charms or has a strong hold on someone's attention, often with a sense of enchantment or admiration.
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| intrigue |
Used when something arouses curiosity or interest, often with a sense of mystery or the unknown.
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Examples of usage
- The new movie interested her.
- The topic interested the students.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Finance
- Interest is a fee paid on borrowed money, often expressed as a percentage of the loan amount.
- In savings accounts, you can earn interest on your deposits, which helps your money grow over time.
- Compound interest can make your savings increase faster because it earns interest on the interest already earned.
Psychology
- Interest plays a critical role in motivation; when youโre interested in something, youโre more likely to pursue it.
- Research shows that children learn better and retain more information when they have a personal interest in the subject.
- The 'interest theory' suggests that individuals have a set of preferred interests that guide their learning and development.
Education
- Teachers often try to align lessons with students' interests to make learning more engaging and effective.
- Extracurricular activities, which tap into studentsโ interests, can enhance their social skills and academic performance.
- Interest-driven learning encourages deep exploration, promoting critical thinking and creativity.
Pop Culture
- In movies and books, a character's interests often define their personality and lead to plot development.
- Popular hobbies like gaming, crafting, and sports can stem from personal interests that many people share and relate to.
- Television shows often explore characters' interests to create relatable and engaging storylines.
Origin of 'interest'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'interesse', meaning 'to be between,' reflecting how interests often relate different subjects or areas.
- It was first used in English around the late 14th century, primarily in the context of meaning 'importance' or 'concern'.
- Over time, it evolved to include financial contexts, meaning money earned on investments.
The word 'interest' originated in the late 15th century from the Latin word 'interest', which means 'it is of importance'. Over time, the term evolved to encompass financial and non-financial meanings, reflecting the human desire to engage with and learn about the world around them.
See also: disinterest, disinterested, interested, interesting, interestingly, interests, uninterested, uninteresting, uninterestingly.