# interesting

/ˈɪntɝəstɪŋ/ (US) · /ˈɪntɹəstɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/interesting
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. holding attention

adjective · CEFR A1

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

For teachers: 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.'

### 2. polite or ironic reaction

adjective · CEFR B2 · Humorous · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- This book is very interesting.
- The museum has an interesting collection of old coins from all over the world.
- While the plot is somewhat predictable, the film remains interesting due to its innovative use of lighting and sound to create a tense atmosphere.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.