Word
interesting
Phoneticsin·ter·est·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪntɝəstɪŋ/
UK/ˈɪntɹəstɪŋ/
Definitions
01holding attention
A1 · Beginner
adj. keeping your attention because it is special, exciting, or worth knowing about.
adj. arousing curiosity or holding the attention. This is a gradable adjective that can be modified by 'very' or 'extremely'.
“I read an interesting article about space travel in the newspaper today.”
“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).
Synonyms
Antonyms
02polite or ironic reaction
B2 · Upper Intermediate Humorous · Informal
adj. a word you use to react to something unusual, even if you do not like it.
adj. used as a pragmatic marker to acknowledge a statement that is unusual, surprising, or mildly unpleasant without giving a direct opinion.
“That is an interesting hat you are wearing today.”
“When the manager saw the chaotic first draft of the schedule, he simply remarked that it was an 'interesting' approach to time management.”
Teaching 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.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “interesting” in context.
Confusables
Interested describes the person who feels the emotion, while interesting describes the thing that causes the emotion.
Remember-ed is how I feel; -ing is the thing.
Etymology
From interest + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Idioms
01. make interesting
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/interesting