interesting

English

Etymology

interest + -ing

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈɪntəɹəstɪŋ/, /ˈɪnt(ʃ)ɹɛstɪŋ/, /ˈɪnt(ʃ)ɹɪstɪŋ/
  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɪnt(ʃ)ɹɛstɪŋ/
  • (file)
    ,
    (file)

Adjective

interesting (comparative more interesting, superlative most interesting)

  1. (often ironic) Arousing or holding the attention or interest of someone.
    • 1991, Stephen Fry, The Liar, p. 26:
      ...Sampson told Adrian why he thought Mahler was in actual fact wilder, in the sense of more controlled, than any rock group.
      ‘That's an interesting point’ said Adrian, ‘in the sense of not being interesting at all.’
  2. (euphemistic) strange or unusual, in a negative sense.
    The stew had an interesting flavor.

Usage notes

Interesting is often used in conversation as a polite mildly positive descriptor or, with an ironic deadpan, to mean boring.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

interesting

  1. present participle of interest
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