adjective

interested

Wanting to know more or having a personal stake in something.

Maya is interested in how bees find their way home.

Etymology

Interest means personal concern or engagement. The participial ending describes someone who has that concern, whether through curiosity or through a stake in the outcome.

More examples

  • Are you interested in joining our weekend hiking group?
  • She listens with an interested expression as I explain the plan.
  • All interested parties receive a copy of the proposed agreement.

Forms

interested · more interested · most interested

interest noun — Curiosity about something or a personal stake.

Similar words

curious
Emphasizes wanting to learn, not having a personal stake.
concerned
Can mean personally affected or involved, rather than merely curious.