Interesting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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interesting

[ˈɪntrəstɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

to describe something

arousing curiosity or interest; holding or catching the attention.

Synonyms

captivating, compelling, engaging, fascinating, intriguing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
interesting	Used to describe something that catches your attention or curiosity in a general sense. The book was very interesting. I find history to be quite interesting.
fascinating	Highlights a subject that intensely attracts and holds the interest due to its complexity, novelty, or unusualness. The documentary on marine life is absolutely fascinating. Her research findings are fascinating.
engaging	Used for something or someone that is appealing in a way that holds attention, often through charm or friendliness. The teacher's engaging style made the class enjoyable. The book is engaging from the very first chapter.
intriguing	Refers to something that arouses curiosity or interest, often because it is mysterious or unusual. The plot of the novel is very intriguing. His behavior was intriguing, and I wanted to know more.
captivating	Refers to something so beautiful or exciting that it holds your attention completely. Her voice was absolutely captivating. The movie's visuals were captivating and stunning.
compelling	Describes something powerful and convincing that evokes an emotional response or demands attention. The lawyer presented a compelling argument. His story was so compelling that everyone listened in silence.

Examples of usage

an interesting book
an interesting conversation
an interesting movie

^{Context #2 | Noun}

to describe a person

a person who arouses curiosity or interest.

Synonyms

engaging personality, fascinating person, intriguing individual.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
interesting	This is a general term used to describe someone or something that captures attention or arouses curiosity. Suitable for casual and formal contexts. She is an interesting speaker who always has new perspectives. That's an interesting outfit you're wearing.
fascinating person	Used to describe someone who is extremely interesting and captivating, often due to unique experiences, knowledge, or character. Suitable for emphasizing admiration and curiosity. Meeting such a fascinating person was the highlight of my trip. He's a fascinating person; his stories never cease to amaze me.
intriguing individual	Describes someone who arouses curiosity and interest but often carries a sense of mystery or complexity. Can imply positive or neutral feelings, often depending on tone and context. She's an intriguing individual with many hidden talents. There's something about him that's quite an intriguing individual, but I can't put my finger on it.
engaging personality	This phrase is often used to describe someone who is personable, charming, and able to hold people's attention. Appropriate for social settings or when discussing someone's character. He has an engaging personality that makes people feel comfortable around him. Her engaging personality is perfect for a career in public relations.

Examples of usage

She's a very interesting character.
He's such an interesting individual.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Research suggests that findability and novelty significantly influence what people find interesting, impacting how information is learned.
The brain releases dopamine when we encounter something interesting, making it easier to remember that experience later.
Engaging with interesting content can boost motivation and creativity, leading to improved problem-solving skills.

Pop Culture

The phrase 'It's interesting' has become a common response in discussions, often used to buy time while formulating an opinion.
Popular authors frequently use the term in their titles and writing, indicating that they want to make their storytelling captivating.
In TV shows and movies, characters might emphasize something as interesting to show their curiosity or challenge the norm.

Education

Teachers often strive to present material in an 'interesting' way to maintain student engagement and make learning enjoyable.
The concept of 'interestingness' has been studied in educational psychology to determine how it affects student retention.
Gamification in learning employs interesting scenarios and challenges to encourage participation and deeper understanding.

Art

Artists often describe their work as 'interesting' to evoke curiosity and invite viewers to explore underlying themes.
In the world of visual arts, what is found to be interesting varies greatly among cultures, informing art movements and styles.
The term is frequently used in critiques to describe works that stimulate discussion, thought, and aesthetic pleasure.

Origin of 'interesting'

Main points about word origin

The word roots back to the Latin 'interesse', which means 'to be between' or 'to be of concern', evolving through Middle English to its current form.
In the 18th century, the word gained popularity, often used in literature and education to engage readers and students.
Historically, 'interesting' was more commonly used to describe financial aspects before expanding to other contexts.

The word 'interesting' originated from the Latin word 'inter' (between) and 'esse' (to be). It entered the English language in the 18th century. Over time, it has evolved to convey the concept of arousing curiosity or holding attention. The term has become widely used in various contexts to describe things or people that capture one's interest or attention.

Word Frequency Rank

At #989 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.

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986 arms
987 names
988 treated
989 interesting
990 introduced
991 easy
992 investment
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