Comparisons Wiki

Engage vs. Interest: Difference and Comparison

Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023
"Engage" means to occupy, attract, or involve someone's attention or participation, while "interest" refers to the feeling of wanting to know or learn about something or the quality of causing such curiosity.
Engage vs. Interest

Difference Between Engage and Interest

"Engage" and "interest" are both verbs that relate to attraction and attention, but they are used in different contexts and carry nuanced differences in meaning. While both words can pertain to the realm of attention, their application and depth of involvement differ.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
To engage means to become involved in or establish a connection with someone or something. It suggests an active participation or commitment. For instance, you might engage in a conversation or engage someone's services. "Interest," on the other hand, is more about a feeling or state of curiosity and attention towards something. When someone is interested, they have a desire to know or learn more, but it doesn't necessarily indicate action or involvement.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
"Engage" can also mean to secure someone's attention or participation in a particular activity. For instance, a teacher might use interactive tools to engage her students in a lesson. Meanwhile, "interest" as a verb implies causing someone to have this feeling of curiosity. If a topic interests you, you'd likely want to know more about it, but you might not be actively involved.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Another distinction lies in their extended meanings. "Engage" can refer to entering into a formal agreement, such as an engagement to be married. "Interest," conversely, can denote a stake or share in a business or a financial term, indicating money paid for the use of borrowed funds.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
In essence, while both words revolve around the concept of attraction and attention, "engage" leans more towards active involvement and participation, whereas "interest" revolves around curiosity and the desire to know or learn more.
Nolan
Sep 26, 2023

Engage vs. Interest Comparison Chart

Primary Meaning

To occupy or attract someone's attention or involvement.
A feeling of wanting to know or learn about something.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Level of Involvement

Active participation or commitment.
Curiosity without necessarily implying active participation.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023

Usage as a Noun

Refers to an agreement or commitment (e.g., an engagement).
Refers to a stake, share, or a fee paid on borrowed money.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Examples

Engage in a conversation, engage someone's services.
Show interest in a topic, accrue interest on savings.
Leo
Sep 26, 2023

Associated Feelings

Commitment, involvement, action.
Curiosity, desire, attention.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Engage vs. Interest Definitions

Engage

To enter into a particular activity or situation.
She decided to engage in volunteer work.
Henry
Sep 26, 2023

Interest

A stake or involvement in an undertaking, especially a financial one.
She has a vested interest in the company's success.
Jonathan
Sep 26, 2023

Engage

To establish a meaningful contact or connection.
The ambassador was sent to engage in diplomatic discussions.
Kaitlyn
Sep 26, 2023

Interest

Money paid for the use of borrowed funds.
The bank offers 2% interest on savings accounts.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023

Engage

Actively committed, as to a political cause.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

A state of curiosity or concern about or attention to something
an interest in sports.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To obtain or contract for the services of; employ
engage a carpenter.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

Something, such as a quality, subject, or activity, that evokes this mental state
counts the theater among his interests.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To arrange for the use of; reserve
engage a room.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

often interests Regard for one's own benefit or advantage; self-interest
It is in your best interest to cooperate. She kept her own interests in mind.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

(transitive) To interact socially.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

A right, claim, or legal share
an interest in the new company.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To engross or hold the attention of; to keep busy or occupied.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

Something in which such a right, claim, or share is held
has interests overseas.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To draw into conversation.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

A person or group of persons holding such a right, claim, or share
a petroleum interest.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To attract, to please; (archaic) to fascinate or win over (someone).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

Involvement with or participation in something
She has an interest in the quality of her education.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To interact antagonistically.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

A charge for a loan, usually a percentage of the amount loaned.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

(transitive) To enter into conflict with (an enemy).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

An excess or bonus beyond what is expected or due.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

(intransitive) To enter into battle.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

An interest group.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To interact contractually.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

The particular cause supported by an interest group.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

(transitive) To arrange to employ or use (a worker, a space, etc.).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

To arouse the curiosity or hold the attention of
Your opinions interest me.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

(intransitive) To guarantee or promise (to do something).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

To cause to become involved or concerned with
tried to interest her in taking a walk.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

(transitive) To bind through legal or moral obligation (to do something, especially to marry) usually in passive.
They were engaged last month! They're planning to have the wedding next year.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

(Archaic) To concern or affect.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To pledge, pawn (one's property); to put (something) at risk or on the line; to mortgage (houses, land).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

The price paid for obtaining, or price received for providing, money or goods in a credit transaction, calculated as a fraction of the amount or value of what was borrowed.
Our bank offers borrowers an annual interest of 5%.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To interact mechanically.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

Any excess over and above an exact equivalent
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To mesh or interlock (of machinery, especially a clutch).
Whenever I engage the clutch, the car stalls out.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

(uncountable) A great attention and concern from someone or something; intellectual curiosity.
He has a lot of interest in vintage cars.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To come into gear with.
The teeth of one cogwheel engage those of another.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

(uncountable) Attention that is given to or received from someone or something.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

(intransitive) To enter into (an activity), to participate (construed with in).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

(countable) An involvement, claim, right, share, stake in or link with a financial, business, or other undertaking or endeavor.
When scientists and doctors write articles and when politicians run for office, they are required in many countries to declare any existing conflicts of interest.
I have business interests in South Africa.
She has an interest in the proceedings, and all stakeholders' interests must be protected.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To entangle.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

(countable) Something or someone one is interested in.
Lexicography is one of my interests.
Victorian furniture is an interest of mine.
The main character's romantic interest will be played by a non-professional actor.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To put under pledge; to pledge; to place under obligations to do or forbear doing something, as by a pledge, oath, or promise; to bind by contract or promise.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

(uncountable) Condition or quality of exciting concern or being of importance.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To gain for service; to bring in as associate or aid; to enlist; as, to engage friends to aid in a cause; to engage men for service.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

Injury, or compensation for injury; damages.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To gain over; to win and attach; to attract and hold; to draw.
Good nature engages everybody to him.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

The persons interested in any particular business or measure, taken collectively.
the iron interest;
the cotton interest
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To employ the attention and efforts of; to occupy; to engross; to draw on.
Thus shall mankind his guardian care engage.
Taking upon himself the difficult task of engaging him in conversation.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

To engage the attention of; to awaken interest in; to excite emotion or passion in, in behalf of a person or thing.
It might interest you to learn that others have already tried that approach.
Action films don't really interest me.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To enter into contest with; to encounter; to bring to conflict.
A favorable opportunity of engaging the enemy.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

To be concerned with or engaged in; to affect; to concern; to excite.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To come into gear with; as, the teeth of one cogwheel engage those of another, or one part of a clutch engages the other part.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

(obsolete) To cause or permit to share.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To promise or pledge one's self; to enter into an obligation; to become bound; to warrant.
How proper the remedy for the malady, I engage not.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

To engage the attention of; to awaken interest in; to excite emotion or passion in, in behalf of a person or thing; as, the subject did not interest him; to interest one in charitable work.
To love our native country . . . to be interested in its concerns is natural to all men.
A goddess who used to interest herself in marriages.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To embark in a business; to take a part; to employ or involve one's self; to devote attention and effort; to enlist; as, to engage in controversy.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

To be concerned with or engaged in; to affect; to concern; to excite; - often used impersonally.
Or rather, gracious sir,Create me to this glory, since my causeDoth interest this fair quarrel.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To enter into conflict; to join battle; as, the armies engaged in a general battle.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

To cause or permit to share.
The mystical communion of all faithful men is such as maketh every one to be interested in those precious blessings which any one of them receiveth at God's hands.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To be in gear, as two cogwheels working together.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

Excitement of feeling, whether pleasant or painful, accompanying special attention to some object; concern; a desire to learn more about a topic or engage often in an activity.
So much interest have I in thy sorrow.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in;
She pursued many activities
They engaged in a discussion
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

Participation in advantage, profit, and responsibility; share; portion; part; as, an interest in a brewery; he has parted with his interest in the stocks.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

engage or engross wholly;
Her interest in butterflies absorbs her completely
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

Advantage, personal or general; good, regarded as a selfish benefit; profit; benefit.
Divisions hinder the common interest and public good.
When interest calls of all her sneaking train.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

engage or hire for work;
They hired two new secretaries in the department
How many people has she employed?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

A fee paid for the use of money; a fee paid for a loan; - usually reckoned as a percentage; as, interest at five per cent per annum on ten thousand dollars.
They have told their money, and let outTheir coin upon large interest.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

ask to represent; of legal counsel;
I'm retaining a lawyer
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

Any excess of advantage over and above an exact equivalent for what is given or rendered.
You shall have your desires with interest.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

give to in marriage
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

The persons interested in any particular business or measure, taken collectively; as, the iron interest; the cotton interest.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

get caught;
make sure the gear is engaged
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something;
an interest in music
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

as of wars, battles, or campaigns;
Napoleon and Hitler waged war against all of Europe
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

the power of attracting or holding one's interest (because it is unusual or exciting etc.);
they said nothing of great interest
primary colors can add interest to a room
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

as of aid, help, services, or support
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

a reason for wanting something done;
for your sake
died for the sake of his country
in the interest of safety
in the common interest
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

engage for service under a term of contract;
We took an apartment on a quiet street
Let's rent a car
Shall we take a guide in Rome?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

a fixed charge for borrowing money; usually a percentage of the amount borrowed;
how much interest do you pay on your mortgage?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

keep engaged;
engaged the gears
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly);
sailing is her favorite pastime
his main pastime is gambling
he counts reading among his interests
they criticized the boy for his limited pursuits
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To occupy or attract someone's attention or efforts.
The game was designed to engage young learners.
William
Sep 26, 2023

Interest

(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something;
they have interests all over the world
a stake in the company's future
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To interlock or mesh, as in machinery.
The gears failed to engage properly.
Levi
Sep 26, 2023

Interest

(usually plural) a social group whose members control some field of activity and who have common aims;
the iron interests stepped up production
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Engage

To enter into a formal agreement, especially to marry.
They recently got engaged.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023

Interest

excite the curiosity of; engage the interest of
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

be on the mind of;
I worry about the second Germanic consonant
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

be of importance or consequence;
This matters to me!
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Interest

The feeling of wanting to know or learn about something.
The documentary piqued his interest in marine biology.
Lucas
Sep 26, 2023

Interest

To arouse the curiosity or attention of.
The mystery novel interested her immediately.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Interest

Activities or topics one enjoys or wishes to explore.
Music and dance are among her interests.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023

Engage vs. Interest Frequently Asked Questions

Is engage about active involvement?

Yes, engage often implies active participation or commitment.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

When I say a topic interests me, does it imply action?

Not necessarily, it primarily indicates curiosity or desire to learn.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023

Does interest always mean financial involvement?

No, interest can mean curiosity or a feeling of wanting to know, but it can also refer to financial stake or returns.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023

Is engaging someone always about hiring them?

No, but in some contexts, to engage someone can mean to hire their services.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Would engage be used in machinery contexts?

Yes, in contexts where components interlock or mesh.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023

Can a teacher both interest and engage students?

Absolutely. A teacher can pique students' curiosity (interest) and also involve them actively (engage).
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Can engage mean to enter a formal agreement?

Yes, such as an engagement to be married.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023

Can something be interesting but not engaging?

Yes, something can be curious or intriguing without necessitating active involvement or participation.
Nolan
Sep 26, 2023

If someone has an interest in a business, do they own part of it?

Typically, yes. It means they have a stake or share in the business.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023

Does having multiple interests mean diversified hobbies?

Yes, it refers to various activities or topics one enjoys or wishes to explore.
William
Sep 26, 2023

Content Creators

Written by
Muneeza Rehman
At Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma Batool
As a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.

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