interesting

[in-ter-uh-sting, -truh-sting, -tuh-res-ting]

adjective

1. engaging or exciting and holding the attention or curiosity.

   an interesting book.

   Synonyms: entertaining, absorbing
   Antonyms: dull

2. arousing a feeling of interest.

   an interesting face.

interesting

/ ˈɪntrɪstɪŋ, -tərɪs- /

adjective

1. inspiring interest; absorbing

Other Word Forms

• interestingly adverb
• interestingness noun
• uninteresting adjective
• uninterestingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of interesting¹

First recorded in 1705–15; interest + -ing ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in an interesting condition, (of a woman) pregnant.

Example Sentences

Portuguese winemaker Dirk Niepoort has a talent for producing interesting wines and Ports.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In addition to spermine, there are many other polyamines that fulfil important functions in the organism and thus are medically interesting.

Read more on Science Daily

As now is often the case chez Disney, the meta-story here is more interesting than the film, which isn’t very good.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“But the order of the calls is interesting and likely raised some eyebrows in Tokyo.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Edward Scissorhands” does an interesting job of enhancing its disabled coding by examining the little nuances of disability.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• alluring 
• amusing 
• attractive 
• compelling 
• curious 
• delightful 
• engaging 
• exotic 
• fascinating 
• impressive 
• intriguing www.thesaurus.com
• lovely 
• pleasing 
• provocative 
• readable 
• refreshing 
• stimulating 
• striking 
• thought-provoking 
• unusual 

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.