Meaning & use
interests
Last updated
“interests” is a form of “interest”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
The subjects and activities that a person enjoys and likes to spend time on.
Grammar: Plural for several hobbies: her interests include chess.
Patterns
- interests include something
- share interests with someone
- interests in something
His interests include astronomy, cooking and chess.
On the form, list your main interests outside work.
The two friends had many interests in common.
nounplural
What is good or beneficial for a person or group.
Grammar: Often with a possessive: in your best interests; also singular in the interest of.
Patterns
- in someone's best interests
- protect someone's interests
- act in the interests of someone
The lawyer must act in the best interests of the child.
The union fought to protect the interests of its members.
It is in everyone's interests to solve the problem quickly.
nounplural
Financial stakes or involvements in a business, or groups of people with a shared concern.
Grammar: Used about business holdings or groups: business interests.
Patterns
- business interests
- have interests in something
He has business interests in three countries.
Powerful oil interests lobbied against the new law.
The senator was accused of serving special interests.
verbtransitive
Third person singular of interest: makes someone curious or keen to know more.
Grammar: Takes an object: the topic interests me.
Patterns
- something interests someone
Space travel interests my younger brother more than anything.
Nothing about the job interests her.
Word forms
| base form | interest |
|---|---|
| past tense | interested |
| -ing form | interesting |
Common combinations
- personal interests
- Describe your personal interests at the end of your application.
- in your best interests
- I think it is in your best interests to wait.
- vested interests
- Vested interests resisted the reform.
- conflict of interests
- Owning shares in the firm created a conflict of interests.
- shared interests
- Shared interests brought the neighbors together.
- protect interests
- The treaty is meant to protect the interests of small farmers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hobbies
- Hobbies are activities you actively do in free time, while interests may be topics you only enjoy reading about.
- pastimes
- Pastimes are specifically leisure activities that fill time, and the word sounds slightly old-fashioned.
- concerns
- Concerns suggests worries or matters that matter to someone, while interests can be neutral or positive.
- stakes
- Stakes stresses what a person could gain or lose financially, so it fits the business sense better.
Opposites
Word family
- interest noun
- curiosity, benefit or money paid for borrowing
- interested adjective
- curious or involved
- interesting adjective
- holding attention
- uninterested adjective
- not curious or involved
- disinterested adjective
- fair, with no personal gain at stake
Commonly confused: interests or disinterested?
interests vs disinterested
Disinterested means impartial. Uninterested means not caring, so a bored person is uninterested, not disinterested.
Practice
The judge removed herself from the case because it was not in the ___ of justice for her to hear it.
Choose one answer.
In the interests of justice is a fixed expression meaning for the benefit of justice. Interested and interesting are adjectives and do not fit after the.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “interests”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.