How to pronounce interest
Say it like IN-trust. Interest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce interest. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IN
- trust
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Interest pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- INSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- trustKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of interest
American and British speakers say interest in essentially the same way: /ˈɪntrəst/ in the US and /ˈɪntrɪst/ in the UK.
British respelling: IN-trist.
What does interest mean?
- a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something“an interest in music”
- a reason for wanting something done“for your sake”“died for the sake of his country”
- the power of attracting or holding one's attention (because it is unusual or exciting etc.)“they said nothing of great interest”“primary colors can add interest to a room”
- excite the curiosity of; engage the interest of
- be on the mind of“I worry about the second Germanic consonant shift”
- be of importance or consequence“This matters to me!”
Where does interest come from?
From Middle English interest, from Old French interesse and interest (French intérêt), from Medieval Latin interesse, from Latin interesse.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying interest
How do you pronounce interest?
Say IN-trust. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪntrəst/. In British English it is /ˈɪntrɪst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in interest?
Interest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN). Broken into parts: IN · trust.
Do Americans and Brits say interest the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪntrəst/ and the British form is /ˈɪntrɪst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.