human interest

noun

1. a quality of a story or report, as in a newspaper or on a newscast, that engages attention and sympathy by enabling one to identify readily with the people, problems, and situations described.

human interest

noun

1. (in a newspaper story, news broadcasting, etc) reference to individuals and their emotions

Other Words From

• human-interest adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of human interest¹

First recorded in 1775–80

Example Sentences

You might point out that gender is irrelevant to the capacities involved with learning, that interests served by education are human interests rather than gender-specific ones, and that the harms caused by thwarting those interests are serious.

From Nautilus

Over the years, it established itself as the premiere destination for both superstars and incredible heartfelt human interest stories.

From Time

She’s been featured in dozens of human interest news stories and television segments around the globe, from the BBC to People magazine, the Today show to Country Living.

From Eater

But if their personal lives are part of human interest packages in the show, it is relevant.

From The Daily Beast

But human-interest stories dominated the pageant this year in an unprecedented way.

From The Daily Beast

His sketches of everyday living are characterized by his human interest touch and his unique technique of realism at that time.

From Project Gutenberg

He scorned curiosity with all his heart, and never suspected that curiosity is very often only an expression of human interest.

From Project Gutenberg

The characters are all brimful of wholesome human interest with Brenda as a paramount attraction.

From Project Gutenberg

A book to be read not only for its strong human interest, but for its true picture of life in the Adirondacks.

From Project Gutenberg

Only its human interest gives value to the first part; from the second part human interest is totally absent.

From Project Gutenberg