interesting

[ in-ter-uh-sting, -truh-sting, -tuh-res-ting ]

adjective

1. engaging or exciting and holding the attention or curiosity:

   an interesting book.

   Synonyms: entertaining, absorbing

   Antonyms: dull

2. arousing a feeling of interest:

   an interesting face.

interesting

/ ˈɪntrɪstɪŋ; -tərɪs- /

adjective

1. inspiring interest; absorbing

Derived Forms

• ˈinterestingness, noun
• ˈinterestingly, adverb

Other Words From

• inter·est·ing·ly adverb
• inter·est·ing·ness noun
• un·inter·est·ing adjective
• un·inter·est·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of interesting¹

First recorded in 1705–15; interest + -ing ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in an interesting condition, (of a woman) pregnant.

Example Sentences

“I try to make the most visually complete portrait of where our food comes from, and I find aerial photography to be the most visually interesting way to capture it,” Steinmetz said.

From New York Times

“What’s so interesting is the language the Chinese used,” says Professor Michael Jacobs, an expert on climate politics at Sheffield University.

From BBC

The pleasant sphere is much less visually interesting, but that’s oddly irrelevant to the art museum.

From Los Angeles Times

Professor Cobb noted: "It was interesting, the journal faced a challenge finding peer reviewers since our approach was so novel."

From Science Daily

And just to hear Saoirse, as somebody that has loved ones that have struggled with alcoholism, talk about what sort of drew her to the material was very interesting and touching.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alluring
• amusing
• attractive
• compelling
• curious
• delightful
• engaging
• exotic
• fascinating
• impressive
• intriguing
• lovely
• pleasing
• provocative
• readable
• refreshing
• stimulating
• striking
• thought-provoking
• unusual

When To Use

What are other ways to say interesting?

A person or a thing that is interesting arouses a feeling of curiosity or concern, or is engaging and exciting. But interesting isn’t quite the same as pleasing or gratifying. Find out why on Thesaurus.com.