What is interest? Pronunciation and usage in English

interest means . Learn how to pronounce and use interest through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of interest

interestnoun/verb

/ˈɪntrɪst/
Definition & pronunciation of interest

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "interest" in English. Here's a breakdown of the sounds and a few ways to say it:

1. Phonetic Transcription (for accuracy):

  • /ɪnˈterɪst/

Let's break that down:

  • ɪn - Say it like the "in" in "tin" - a short, quick "ih" sound.
  • ˈter - This is the stressed syllable. It’s pronounced with a slightly longer, more emphasized "ter" sound. Think of it like "tuh-ter." The 'ˈ' symbol indicates the stressed syllable.
  • ɪst - Again, say it like the "in" in "tin."

2. How to Say It (with emphasis):

Here are a few ways to say it, with increasing levels of detail:

  • Quick & Casual: "In-ter-est" (fairly common, but not always perfectly pronounced)
  • More Precise: "In-ter-ist" (putting a little more emphasis on the “ist” part.)
  • Most Accurate: "In-ter-est" (with a short “ih” sound on “in,” a distinct “ter” sound on the second syllable, and a short “ih” sound on “ist.”)

3. Tips & Common Errors:

  • Don't say "in-ter-est" as a single word. It’s often broken into three syllables.
  • Avoid adding an "r" sound after the "t." It’s not a true “r” sound here. It’s the “t” sound.
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to get it right is to hear how native English speakers pronounce it. You can find examples on:
    • Google Translate: Type in "interest" and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/interest/ – This site provides pronunciations from native speakers around the world.
    • YouTube: Search for “how to pronounce interest” – you’ll find many videos.

Would you like me to:

  • Record myself saying the word?
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Usage and examples with the word interest in English

Let's break down how to use the word "interest" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized for clarity:

1. Interest as a Feeling (Noun - the core meaning)

  • Definition: A feeling of wanting to know or learn about something; a strong attraction or enthusiasm.
  • Examples:
    • "I have a strong interest in history." (I'm really fascinated by history.)
    • "She showed a keen interest in learning to play the guitar." (She was very enthusiastic about learning.)
    • "He has an interest in photography." (He enjoys taking photos and learning about it.)
    • "The children showed a lot of interest in the puppet show." (They were excited and attentive.)

2. Interest as a Payment (Noun)

  • Definition: The amount of money you pay to borrow money (like from a bank) or the amount you earn on an investment.
  • Examples:
    • "The interest on the loan is 5% per year." (The cost of borrowing.)
    • “I earn a small interest on my savings account.” (The money gained from saving.)
    • “High interest rates can make borrowing more expensive.”

3. Interest as a Subject (Noun)

  • Definition: A particular subject that someone is studying or has knowledge about.
  • Examples:
    • "What are your areas of interest?" (What subjects do you enjoy learning about?)
    • "She's pursuing a degree in biology." (Biology is her field of interest.)
    • “His interests include hiking, reading, and cooking.”

4. To Interest (Verb - To capture attention)

  • Definition: To capture the attention or interest of someone.
  • Examples:
    • "The speaker really interested the audience with her story." (The speaker captured their attention.)
    • "The movie interested me, so I decided to watch it." (The movie caught my attention.)
    • "She interested him in joining the club." (She made him want to join.)

5. Interested (Adjective - Showing interest)

  • Definition: Showing interest or enthusiasm.
  • Examples:
    • "I'm very interested in hearing more about your project." (I'm enthusiastic about learning.)
    • "He looked interested in the demonstration." (He seemed attentive and curious.)
    • “Are you interested in attending the meeting?”

Here's a handy table summarizing the uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Noun Feeling/Enthusiasm “She has a strong interest in art.”
Noun Payment (loan/investment) “The interest rate is 3%.”
Noun Subject of study “His interests include literature.”
Verb To capture attention “The performance interested the crowd.”
Adjective Showing interest/enthusiasm "I'm interested in your ideas."

Tips for using "interest" correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms like "enthusiasm," "fascination," "curiosity," "attraction," “engagement” depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of a specific usage?
  • Create a sentence using "interest" in a particular way?
  • Explain how “interest” is used in more complex sentences?

Synonyms for the word interest

Idioms of the word interest

conflict of interest(s)
a situation in which somebody has two jobs, aims, roles, etc. and cannot treat both of them equally and fairly at the same time
  • There was a conflict of interest between his business dealings and his political activities.
  • One member of the planning committee had a conflict of interest as he lived near the proposed road.
  • There is often a conflict of interests between farmers and conservationists.
do something (back) with interest
to do the same thing to somebody as they have done to you, but with more force, enthusiasm, etc.
    have somebody’s interests at heart
    to want somebody to be happy and successful even though your actions may not show this
    • Although he was sometimes too strict with his children, he had their best interests at heart.
    in the interest(s) of something
    in order to help or achieve something
    • New work practices were introduced in the interests of efficiency.
    person of interest
    a person who is believed to be involved in a crime, but who has not been arrested
    • Police have said they do have a person of interest in the case.

    Practice with vocabulary interest

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The quarterly financial report highlighted a significant return on investment, primarily due to the accrued ___________ on long-term bonds.
    2. Her profound ___________ in Renaissance art led her to pursue a Master's degree in art history.
    3. Despite the professor's efforts, the complex lecture failed to capture the students' undivided ___________.
    4. The CEO expressed his deep ___________ about the ethical implications of using AI in customer data analysis.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. Which of the following describes a strong personal inclination or a subject that one finds appealing? a) curiosity b) interest c) passion d) hobby

    2. If a company decides to acquire a small startup, they might be taking a strategic _______ in a new market. a) stake b) share c) interest d) investment

    3. Employees who demonstrate a keen ___________ in professional development often receive opportunities for advancement. a) aptitude b) interest c) desire d) proficiency

    4. Which word best describes the detailed observation or study of something? a) scrutiny b) glance c) glimpse d) survey

    5. The unexpected archaeological discovery immediately captured the public's ___________ and became a global news sensation. a) fascination b) engagement c) curiosity d) attention

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: The financial institution charges a fee for borrowing money, calculated as a percentage of the principal. Rewrite using "interest" or a related word form:

    2. Original: Her enthusiasm for learning new languages is truly remarkable. Rewrite using "interest" or a related word form:

    3. Original: The lecture on ancient civilizations completely engrossed the audience. Rewrite WITHOUT using "interest" or a related word form:

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. interest
    2. interest
    3. attention
    4. concern

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. b) interest, c) passion, d) hobby
    2. a) stake, c) interest
    3. b) interest
    4. a) scrutiny, d) survey
    5. a) fascination, b) engagement, c) curiosity, d) attention

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The financial institution charges an interest rate for borrowing money, calculated as a percentage of the principal.
    2. She is truly interested in learning new languages.
    3. The lecture on ancient civilizations completely captivated the audience.

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