by Kate Woodford
On this blog, we often look at the various English words and phrases that we use to express the same concept. This week we’re focusing on the word ‘interesting’. There are lots of synonyms (or rather, ‘near-synonyms’) for this adjective but most carry an extra meaning. In this post, I’ll try to show the differences in meaning between these near-synonyms and provide you with a range of ‘interesting’ vocabulary!
If you find something extremely interesting, you can use the adjective fascinating:
I read a fascinating book on the subject.
It’s a fascinating subject.
If something interests you, partly because you cannot fully understand it and want to know more, you might describe it as intriguing:
The novel’s opening chapter is very intriguing.
A book, film or activity that is so interesting, it completely holds your attention, might be described as absorbing:
I found his last novel very absorbing.
Even stronger than ‘absorbing’, but with the same meaning is the adjective engrossing:
It’s a really engrossing story.
Something that holds all your attention because it is both interesting and exciting might be described as compelling:
I found the whole film compelling from start to finish.
Other adjectives with a similar meaning are riveting and gripping:
The first act of the play was completely riveting.
It’s a really gripping read.
Meanwhile, if a talk, book, film, etc. is interesting because it makes you think a lot about a subject, you can say that it is thought-provoking:
It was a very thought-provoking talk.
A job or discussion that is stimulating makes you keep feeling interested, often by providing you with new ideas:
He finds his new job much more stimulating.
We had a very stimulating discussion.
Sometimes, things are interesting in a rather unusual way. For this combination of qualities, we have the adjective curious:
There were some very curious-looking frogs in there.
Conversation or company that is interesting and enjoyable is sometimes described as sparkling, especially if it is clever and funny:
Georgie was in sparkling form.
The conversation was positively sparkling.
Gossip (= news about other people’s private lives) that is interesting because it is rather shocking may be described informally as juicy:
I’ve got some juicy gossip for you!
There is also a group of ‘interesting’ adjectives that mean ‘interesting enough to be spoken of’, for example notable:
Was anything notable said in the meeting?
A more formal way of saying this is worthy of attention/notice/note:
We saw a couple of fairly entertaining short films but nothing worthy of note.
An event that is interesting enough to be described in a news report may be described as newsworthy:
Nothing newsworthy ever happened in her parents’ town.
If you find something engrossing, thought-provoking or stimulating this week, perhaps you’d like to tell us?
: holding the attention : arousing interest
Did you know?
There are a number of ways to say interesting. It can have three syllables or four; it can have an accent only on the first syllable, or it can also have a secondary accent on the «res»; the first «e» can get ignored, resulting in a second syllable of «tres» rhyming with dress; or the second «e» can be ignored, resulting in a syllable that sounds like terse. All of these various pronunciations are well-established and occur in the speech of educated, native speakers of English.
The word interesting originally meant «of concern»; it was a synonym of important. It comes from the verb interest, which in its original use meant «to induce or persuade to participate or engage.» If you were interested in something, you were not willing to be a bystander; you felt the need to participate or engage.
Synonyms
Example Sentences
This is one of the most interesting books I’ve read all year.
It will be interesting to see how she decides to spend the money.
This building has an interesting history.
I don’t find politics very interesting.
I found it interesting to learn that she had once lived in California.
Most of what he said wasn’t interesting to me.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
That would be really interesting to put her in a group of people who are still striving in different ways.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 31 Mar. 2023
Monarch butterflies are among the most interesting and popular butterflies in North America.
—Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Mar. 2023
With only three people on the tribe, anyone could turn on anyone, and that creates a really interesting dynamic.
—Erica Thompson, The Enquirer, 30 Mar. 2023
There was this really interesting structured non-structure to it all.
—Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2023
Steven Cherry That’s interesting.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2023
What’s very interesting is the same groups are targeted over and over again.
—The Politics Of Everything, The New Republic, 29 Mar. 2023
Lewis: That’s interesting.
—Josh Fischman, Scientific American, 29 Mar. 2023
This is going to be a really interesting one.
—Daniel Kohn, SPIN, 29 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘interesting.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1768, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of interesting was
in 1768
Dictionary Entries Near interesting
Cite this Entry
“Interesting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interesting. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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Last Updated:
4 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
The main purpose which I have had in view in writing this book has been to present an account of Greek philosophy which, within strict limits of brevity, shall be at once authentic and interesting — _authentic_, as being based on the original works themselves, and not on any secondary sources; _interesting_, as presenting to the ordinary English reader, in language freed as far as possible from technicality and abstruseness, the great thoughts of the greatest men of antiquity on questions of permanent significance and value. ❋ John Marshall (1880)
I think she’s done a great job leveraging interesting content over her good looks to create a show that is actually _interesting_ to watch, and isn’t just another blond chick using her beauty to attract viewers. ❋ Michael Arrington (2005)
Not only are they likely to give me crap about my clothes or something equally as important they will use the word interesting to describe what Im wearing, and we all know that to most people, interesting is not a compliment, but I dont especially want to watch Jay with his hands practically up Amys shirt right there on the front lawn. ❋ Deb Caletti (2009)
Probably what most people think about when the term interesting bark is mentioned, the row of riverbirches along the wooden fence near the house has entered its peeling stage. ❋ Unknown (2008)
The term interesting traffic means that when traffic meeting a pre-determined type or load is seen by the router, it knows that an ISDN call is warranted to pass that traffic to its destination. ❋ Unknown (2009)
Book value of the company is $23.05 per share and of course I say that’s somewhat, I think I used the term interesting, but also somewhat frustrating to us given where we’re currently trading. ❋ Unknown (2009)
What makes this interesting is the fact that the current production reserves are a few million barrels a day, largely from Saudi Arabia. ❋ Unknown (2008)
They pointed to him in particular as going — as coming back saying he wasn’t going to do inspections, and then suddenly going out, doing some very — what they call interesting inspections. ❋ Unknown (2003)
«It depends what you call interesting,» was his rejoinder to the unconventional reply. ❋ George Gissing (1880)
If you are a goose, cackling a great deal, silly at heart and wholly indifferent about to-morrow, you will choose just what you call the interesting titles. ❋ Edward Everett Hale (1865)
Yahoo-Microsoft deal, but he complimented Yahoo on what he called interesting innovations in search. ❋ Unknown (2009)
Brin declined to say whether he thinks government regulators should or shouldn’t approve the Yahoo-Microsoft deal, but he complimented Yahoo on what he called interesting innovations in search. ❋ Unknown (2009)
Not really a scalable model but the concept of new experiences in interesting, meaningful contexts is worth examining. ❋ Dean Shareski (2010)
Especially the last one, though I’m not sure ‘interesting‘ is really quite the right word for it. ❋ Unknown (2008)
[Yes], your [bottle cap] [collection] is interesting. ❋ Prof. Wetwang (2004)
«[what is] you definition of interesting?
[Oh God], Oh God, [we’re all going to die]» ❋ Taco Lord (2011)
1)»I like to study.» — «Interesting…»
2)»I got [10 kinds] of nasty at the party last night!» — «Interesting…were there a lot of [hot guys] there?»
3)»I have 3 cars, 2 bikes, and I am a [personal trainer].» — «Interesting (check out person)…so what was your name again?» ❋ CMurder (2006)
«I’m [planning] to [jump off a building]»
«[Interesting]» ❋ Turby (2005)
[Interesting] as defined in «[Serenity]». (Had to [do it] ) ❋ Kazuya Darklight (2005)
1. Stacy: «…and then after he gave me flowers, he tried to KISS me! Eww!»
Rebecca: «…Huh? Oh. Interesting.»
2. Joe: «So, how do you like the [veggie] burgers I made?»
Steve: «Well, they’re interesting…»
3. Acquaintance: «[Yeah, so] how about them Yankees? I got their logo tattooed on my back last week. It’s not healing properly though, the edges have [pus].»
You: «Interesting…» ❋ Stfukthxdood (2010)
[Globalization] is an interesting problem for many nations.
[VP] [Cheney] is an interesting person. ❋ Larry Lynch (2008)
First, he said he will come to the party. After he got to know [the host], he said he had [no time] and needed to work. [That’s interesting]! ❋ PeterDan00 (2010)
[Liselle]: «[I ate]»
Karen: «Interesting» (and [rolls eyes]) ❋ Karen WHAATT (2003)
‘hmm…interesting‘ ❋ TheNay (2003)
When you’re giving a speech, you probably hope that your audience is gazing at you in fascination because what you’re saying is so interesting, and not because you’ve got something weird on your face.
The adjective interesting describes something that makes you curious, or catches your attention, but sometimes people use the word in a doubtful way when they are taken aback but want to be polite. Like if your grandmother looks at your new tattoo and says, «Well, that’s certainly interesting!» Chances are she’s not actually feeling very enthusiastic about your choice of body art.
Definitions of interesting
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adjective
arousing or holding the attention
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Synonyms:
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exciting
creating or arousing excitement
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absorbing, compelling, engrossing, fascinating, gripping, riveting
capable of arousing and holding the attention
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entertaining
agreeably diverting
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amusing, amusive, diverting
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
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intriguing
capable of arousing interest or curiosity
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newsworthy
sufficiently interesting to be reported in a newspaper
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stimulating
rousing or quickening activity or the senses
see moresee less-
Antonyms:
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uninteresting
arousing no interest or attention or curiosity or excitement
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unexciting
not exciting
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boring, deadening, dull, ho-hum, irksome, slow, tedious, tiresome, wearisome
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
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insipid, jejune
lacking interest or significance or impact
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narcotic, soporiferous, soporific
inducing mental lethargy
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earthbound, pedestrian, prosaic, prosy
lacking wit or imagination
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ponderous
labored and dull
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putdownable
(of a book) poorly written and not entertaining
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unexciting, unstimulating
not stimulating
- show more antonyms…
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exciting
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘interesting’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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- Top Definitions
- Synonyms
- Quiz
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- When To Use
- Examples
- British
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
[ in-ter-uh-sting, -truh-sting, -tuh-res-ting ]
/ ˈɪn tər ə stɪŋ, -trə stɪŋ, -təˌrɛs tɪŋ /
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
adjective
engaging or exciting and holding the attention or curiosity: an interesting book.
arousing a feeling of interest: an interesting face.
QUIZ
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Which sentence is correct?
Idioms about interesting
in an interesting condition, (of a woman) pregnant.
OTHER WORDS FROM interesting
in·ter·est·ing·ly, adverbin·ter·est·ing·ness, nounun·in·ter·est·ing, adjectiveun·in·ter·est·ing·ly, adverb
Words nearby interesting
interdisciplinary, interest, interested, interesterification, interest group, interesting, interest rate, interest-rate futures, interface, interfacial, interfacial tension
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
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.
Words related to interesting
alluring, amusing, attractive, beautiful, compelling, curious, delightful, engaging, exotic, fascinating, impressive, intriguing, lovely, pleasing, provocative, readable, refreshing, stimulating, striking, thought-provoking
How to use interesting in a sentence
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It was interesting enough to take down the whole cake, and maybe even dip into the tube bag for another, and another.
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Eventually you’ll be able to calculate something interesting, such as the path of a whole billiard ball.
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That’s why an interesting pattern in analyzing SEO agencies is looking at the ones that access self-serve reporting platforms to allow full transparency and a semi-automation of the process.
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The most interesting new strap is called the Solo Loop and it doesn’t have a clasp at all.
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He shared some interesting news about a new program Lowe’s is launching to get more products from small and minority-owned businesses on its shelves.
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Interesting that those who sat in judgment of him found those two sets of beliefs to be incompatible.
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“I found him to to be an interesting person,” Krauss said of the first impression.
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Two factors made Hiram Revels especially interesting to the Washington establishment.
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These are eight of the most interesting laws passed in the second session of the 113th Congress.
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Opechatesgays.com is one project of a much larger organization, EthicalOil.org—and here is where things get really interesting.
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We prefer the American volume of Hochelaga to the Canadian one, although both are highly interesting.
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To Americans Mrs. Wright is interesting by reason of her patriotism, which amounted to a passion.
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It goes without saying that Ferns of all kinds are interesting plants to grow in the garden and house.
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I seized the opportunity to watch what I supposed would be a most interesting interview, from behind a curtain.
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Be Bry in his History of Brazil describes its use and also some interesting particulars concerning the plant.
British Dictionary definitions for interesting
interesting
/ (ˈɪntrɪstɪŋ, -tərɪs-) /
adjective
inspiring interest; absorbing
Derived forms of interesting
interestingly, adverbinterestingness, noun
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
|
WordReference Random House Learner’s Dictionary of American English © 2023 in•ter•est•ing /ˈɪntərəstɪŋ, -trəstɪŋ/USA pronunciation
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2023 in•ter•est•ing
in′ter•est•ing•ly, adv.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: interesting /ˈɪntrɪstɪŋ -tərɪs-/ adj
WordReference Random House Learner’s Dictionary of American English © 2023 in•ter•est /ˈɪntərɪst, -trɪst/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object* not: be + ~-ing]
Idioms
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2023 in•ter•est
v.t.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: interest /ˈɪntrɪst -tərɪst/ n
vb (transitive)
Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin: it concerns, from interesse; from inter- + esse to be ‘interesting‘ also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations): |
|
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The main purpose which I have had in view in writing this book has been to present an account of Greek philosophy which, within strict limits of brevity, shall be at once authentic and interesting — _authentic_, as being based on the original works themselves, and not on any secondary sources; _interesting_, as presenting to the ordinary English reader, in language freed as far as possible from technicality and abstruseness, the great thoughts of the greatest men of antiquity on questions of permanent significance and value.
A Short History of Greek Philosophy
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I think she’s done a great job leveraging interesting content over her good looks to create a show that is actually _interesting_ to watch, and isn’t just another blond chick using her beauty to attract viewers.
PopSnap: Sarah Meyers’ Live Online TV Show
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Not only are they likely to give me crap about my clothes or something equally as important they will use the word interesting to describe what Im wearing, and we all know that to most people, interesting is not a compliment, but I dont especially want to watch Jay with his hands practically up Amys shirt right there on the front lawn.
The Fortunes of Indigo Skye
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Not only are they likely to give me crap about my clothes or something equally as important they will use the word interesting to describe what Im wearing, and we all know that to most people, interesting is not a compliment, but I dont especially want to watch Jay with his hands practically up Amys shirt right there on the front lawn.
The Fortunes of Indigo Skye
-
Not only are they likely to give me crap about my clothes or something equally as important they will use the word interesting to describe what Im wearing, and we all know that to most people, interesting is not a compliment, but I dont especially want to watch Jay with his hands practically up Amys shirt right there on the front lawn.
The Fortunes of Indigo Skye
-
Not only are they likely to give me crap about my clothes or something equally as important they will use the word interesting to describe what Im wearing, and we all know that to most people, interesting is not a compliment, but I dont especially want to watch Jay with his hands practically up Amys shirt right there on the front lawn.
The Fortunes of Indigo Skye
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Probably what most people think about when the term interesting bark is mentioned, the row of riverbirches along the wooden fence near the house has entered its peeling stage.
Bark « Fairegarden
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The term interesting traffic means that when traffic meeting a pre-determined type or load is seen by the router, it knows that an ISDN call is warranted to pass that traffic to its destination.
CertCities.com | IT Forums
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The term interesting traffic means that when traffic meeting a pre-determined type or load is seen by the router, it knows that an ISDN call is warranted to pass that traffic to its destination.
CertCities.com | IT Forums
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Book value of the company is $23.05 per share and of course I say that’s somewhat, I think I used the term interesting, but also somewhat frustrating to us given where we’re currently trading.
SeekingAlpha.com: Home Page
- Dictionary
- I
- Interesting
Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [in-ter-uh-sting, -truh-sting, -tuh-res-ting]
- /ˈɪn tər ə stɪŋ, -trə stɪŋ, -təˌrɛs tɪŋ/
- /ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [in-ter-uh-sting, -truh-sting, -tuh-res-ting]
- /ˈɪn tər ə stɪŋ, -trə stɪŋ, -təˌrɛs tɪŋ/
Definitions of interesting word
- adjective interesting engaging or exciting and holding the attention or curiosity: an interesting book. 1
- adjective interesting arousing a feeling of interest: an interesting face. 1
- idioms interesting in the interest(s) of, to the advantage or advancement of; in behalf of: in the interests of good government. 1
- noun interesting the feeling of a person whose attention, concern, or curiosity is particularly engaged by something: She has a great interest in the poetry of Donne. 1
- noun interesting something that concerns, involves, draws the attention of, or arouses the curiosity of a person: His interests are philosophy and chess. 1
- noun interesting power of exciting such concern, involvement, etc.; quality of being interesting: political issues of great interest. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of interesting
First appearance:
before 1705
One of the 50% oldest English words
First recorded in 1705-15; interest + -ing2
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Interesting
interesting popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 89% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between «mom» and «screwdriver».
Synonyms for interesting
adj interesting
- beautiful — A beautiful person is very attractive to look at.
- attractive — A person who is attractive is pleasant to look at.
- intriguing — to arouse the curiosity or interest of by unusual, new, or otherwise fascinating or compelling qualities; appeal strongly to; captivate: The plan intrigues me, but I wonder if it will work.
- lovely — charmingly or exquisitely beautiful: a lovely flower.
- provocative — tending or serving to provoke; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing.
adjective interesting
- exciting — Causing great enthusiasm and eagerness.
- out of the ordinary — of no special quality or interest; commonplace; unexceptional: One novel is brilliant, the other is decidedly ordinary; an ordinary person.
- remarkable — notably or conspicuously unusual; extraordinary: a remarkable change.
- noteworthy — worthy of notice or attention; notable; remarkable: a noteworthy addition to our collection of rare books.
- appealing — Someone or something that is appealing is pleasing and attractive.
Antonyms for interesting
adj interesting
- disgusting — causing disgust; offensive to the physical, moral, or aesthetic taste.
- repulsive — causing repugnance or aversion: a repulsive mask.
- unattractive — providing pleasure or delight, especially in appearance or manner; pleasing; charming; alluring: an attractive personality.
- boring — Someone or something boring is so dull and uninteresting that they make people tired and impatient.
- usual — habitual or customary: her usual skill.
adjective interesting
- disenchanting — Present participle of disenchant.
Top questions with interesting
- how to be interesting?
- who is the most interesting man in the world?
- how to be more interesting?
See also
- All definitions of interesting
- Synonyms for interesting
- Antonyms for interesting
- Related words to interesting
- Sentences with the word interesting
- Words that rhyme with interesting
- interesting pronunciation
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