interesting
Americanadjective
-
engaging or exciting and holding the attention or curiosity.
an interesting book.
- Synonyms:
- entertaining, absorbing
- Antonyms:
- dull
-
arousing a feeling of interest.
an interesting face.
idioms
-
in an interesting condition, (of a woman) pregnant.
adjective
-
inspiring interest; absorbing
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
- interestingly adverb
- interestingness noun
- uninteresting adjective
- uninterestingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of interesting
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The revenge of the analog—through the popularity of Moleskine notebooks and letterpress cards, through the revival of film cameras among Gen Z—comes down to something more interesting than simple nostalgia.
From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026
I can work on my phone and look up when something interesting happens.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
"They had the requirements for a good, interesting movie – comedy or drama."
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
There is interesting material in this book on the nature of Roman suicide, the mixture of magic and medicine for Romans, and the meanings that Romans put on dreams, especially those involving gladiators.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
All were good, interesting smells; but beneath them was the cold, terrifying scent of the Fast Wet.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.