noun
interest
A stake in what affects one's welfare or advantage.
Every resident has an interest in keeping the neighborhood safe.
Etymology
The Latin expression meant that something matters or makes a difference. A personal interest is therefore a concern in a matter because its outcome affects one’s own advantage or welfare.
More examples
- The lawyer acts in her client's best interests.
- She owns a financial interest in the company.
- The committee weighs private profits against the public interest.
Forms
interest · interests