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interesting

adj.
US //ˈɪntɝəstɪŋ// UK //ˈɪntɹəstɪŋ// in·ter·est·ing
  1. 1 holding attention (adj.)
    A1 Beginner

    keeping your attention because it is special, exciting, or worth knowing about.

    arousing curiosity or holding the attention. This is a gradable adjective that can be modified by 'very' or 'extremely'.

    Example

    I read an interesting article about space travel in the newspaper today.

    Example

    The documentary provided an interesting perspective on urban development, though some critics argued it oversimplified the economic factors involved.

    Usage

    Commonly used with the preposition 'to' when indicating the person affected: 'It was interesting to me.'
    Pitfall
    I am very interesting in history.
    I am very interested in history.

    Use 'interesting' to describe the thing (the book is interesting). Use 'interested' to describe your feeling (I am interested).

  2. 2 polite or ironic reaction (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Humorous Informal

    a word you use to react to something unusual, even if you do not like it.

    used as a pragmatic marker to acknowledge a statement that is unusual, surprising, or mildly unpleasant without giving a direct opinion.

    Example

    That is an interesting hat you are wearing today.

    Example

    When the manager saw the chaotic first draft of the schedule, he simply remarked that it was an 'interesting' approach to time management.

    Teacher's tip

    In British English, 'interesting' can be a 'polite' way to say you think something is strange or bad. Context and tone of voice are key to this meaning.
Origin

From interest + -ing.

Word family
Idioms2 entries

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