interested

1 of 2

adjective

in·​ter·​est·​ed ˈin-t(ə-)rə-stəd How to pronounce interested (audio) ˈin-tə-ˌre- How to pronounce interested (audio)
ˈin-ˌtre-;
ˈin-tər-
Synonyms of interestednext
1
: having the attention engaged
interested listeners
2
: being affected or involved
interested parties
interestedly adverb

interested

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of interest entry 2

Examples of interested in a Sentence

Adjective The listeners were all greatly interested in the lecture. students who are interested in archaeology I'd be interested to learn more about his background. I'm interested to hear what you have to say. I was very interested to learn that she had once lived in California. I asked him if he wanted to play tennis, but he said he wasn't interested. The plan will have to be approved by all interested parties.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Campbell and the Thunderbolts weren’t interested in a repeat performance when counting down the days to the rare back-to-back matchup. — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Media archaeology is exactly the kind of (proto) discipline that is interested in dead ends, unrealized projects, and strange coincidences. — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Oct. 2026 Filmmaker Marie Kreutzer is not interested in letting the audience off the hook with a villain that looks like a villain. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 O’Sullivan was interested in what might happen when Helen, who has lost her daughter, and Minnie, who is unhappy at home, begin to fill parts of each other’s lives. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for interested

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of interested was in 1602

Rhymes for interested

See All Rhymes for interested

Browse Nearby Words

interest-bearing
interested
interesterification
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interested.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interested. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

interested

adjective
in·​ter·​est·​ed
: having a recognizable interest in a matter compare interest sense 2

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