INTERESTING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does interesting mean? 

• INTERESTING (adjective)
  The adjective INTERESTING has 1 sense:

1. arousing or holding the attention

  Familiarity information: INTERESTING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INTERESTING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Arousing or holding the attention

Similar:

absorbing; engrossing; fascinating; gripping; riveting (capable of arousing and holding the attention)

entertaining (agreeably diverting)

amusing; amusive; diverting (providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining)

intriguing (capable of arousing interest or curiosity)

newsworthy (sufficiently interesting to be reported in a newspaper)

Also:

exciting (creating or arousing excitement)

stimulating (rousing or quickening activity or the senses)

Attribute:

interest; interestingness (the power of attracting or holding one's attention (because it is unusual or exciting etc.))

Antonym:

uninteresting (arousing no interest or attention or curiosity or excitement)

Derivation:

interestingness (the power of attracting or holding one's attention (because it is unusual or exciting etc.))

 Context examples 

“Quite an interesting study, that maiden,” he observed.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

His moods change so rapidly that I find it difficult to keep touch of them, and as they always mean something more than his own well-being, they form a more than interesting study.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Their visits to Mrs. Phillips were now productive of the most interesting intelligence.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

“This promises to be a most interesting and unusual case,” said he.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“It can hardly be interesting to you,” said I. “Yes, if you wish to know.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It required some courage to disturb so interesting a party; my errand, however, was one I could not defer, so I approached the master where he stood at Miss Ingram's side.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

"Most interesting," said Summerlee, bending over my shin.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Eleanor made no answer; and Catherine's thoughts recurring to something more directly interesting, she added, thinking aloud, Monday—so soon as Monday; and you all go.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Their interesting, almost too interesting conversation must be broken up for a time, but slight was the penance compared with the happiness which brought it on!

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Back I went, and made the Primroses as interesting as ever I could.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)