human interest

American  

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.

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human interest British  

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• human-interest adjective

Etymology

Origin of human interest

First recorded in 1775–80

Example Sentences

He also has worked as a reporter for the Houston Chronicle, where he often wrote human interest stories and reported on the region's large population of immigrants, education and suburban news.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

Kellyman is terrific opposite Squibb, but this unconventional friendship tale is the kind of slight human interest story that slips from your consciousness almost as soon as it has made its brief impression.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2025

Annie enjoys covering trends in human interest, LGBTQ+ issues and climate policy.

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2025

It’s just really hard because in some ways these are both human interest stories and legal stories.

From Slate • Dec. 31, 2024

You do not engage the attention of the reader unless your story has basic human interest elements.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot