Desire vs. Interest — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 14, 2024
Desire is a strong feeling of wanting, while interest is a more general attention or curiosity.
Difference Between Desire and Interest
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Desire denotes a deep longing or craving for something, which can be tangible or intangible, such as objects, experiences, or outcomes. It is often driven by emotional or physical needs and can be intense in nature. Whereas, interest refers to a state of wanting to learn more about something or being engaged by it. It is more cognitive and can be sparked by various factors, including novelty, relevance, or utility.
While desire can lead to a focused pursuit or goal-oriented behavior to satisfy the longing, interest might not necessarily result in action. Interest can exist as a passive inclination or preference towards something without the compelling urge to acquire or engage with it.
Desire often carries a stronger emotional charge compared to interest. The intensity of desire can influence decision-making and behavior significantly, leading to a proactive approach to fulfill the desired object or state. On the other hand, interest can be more exploratory, leading to information gathering or casual engagement without the same level of emotional investment.
The objects of desire and interest can overlap, but the intensity and implications of these feelings can be different. For instance, one may have a strong desire to own a piece of art due to its beauty or value, while another might have an interest in the art's historical context or technique, without the desire to possess it.
Desire is often associated with a sense of lack or deficiency that one seeks to overcome, leading to a sense of fulfillment or satisfaction once the desire is met. Interest, however, can be driven by curiosity and a desire for knowledge or understanding, which may or may not lead to a sense of completion.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Strong feeling of wanting
Curiosity or attention towards something
Intensity
Can be intense and compelling
Generally more moderate and cognitive
Outcome
Often leads to goal-oriented actions
May not necessarily result in action
Emotional Charge
High emotional involvement
More exploratory and less emotionally charged
Fulfillment
Satisfaction upon achieving desired object or state
May involve continuous engagement without a definitive end
Compare with Definitions
Desire
A strong craving or longing.
She had a strong desire to travel the world.
Interest
Curiosity or concern about something.
He showed a keen interest in science.
Desire
Emotional yearning.
There was a deep desire for connection in his heart.
Interest
Engagement or attention.
Her interest in the project was evident in her questions.
Desire
Aiming for a specific outcome.
She expressed a desire to learn more languages.
Interest
A preference or inclination.
I have a strong interest in art.
Desire
An intense wish for something.
His desire for success drove him to work hard.
Interest
The state of wanting to know or learn.
There's a growing interest in sustainable living.
Desire
A need or want that drives behavior.
The desire for recognition can motivate great achievements.
Interest
A stake or involvement in a situation.
She has a vested interest in the company's success.
Desire
Desires are states of mind that are expressed by terms like "wanting", "wishing", "longing" or "craving". A great variety of features is commonly associated with desires.
Interest
Interest, in finance and economics, is payment from a borrower or deposit-taking financial institution to a lender or depositor of an amount above repayment of the principal sum (that is, the amount borrowed), at a particular rate. It is distinct from a fee which the borrower may pay the lender or some third party.
Desire
To wish or long for; want
A reporter who desires an interview.
A teen who desires to travel.
Interest
A state of curiosity or concern about or attention to something
An interest in sports.
Desire
To express a wish for; request.
Interest
Something, such as a quality, subject, or activity, that evokes this mental state
Counts the theater among his interests.
Desire
The feeling of wanting to have something or wishing that something will happen.
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.
Desire
An instance of this feeling
She had a lifelong desire to visit China.
Interest
A right, claim, or legal share
An interest in the new company.
Desire
An object of such feeling or passion
A quiet evening with you is my only desire.
Interest
Something in which such a right, claim, or share is held
Has interests overseas.
Desire
(Archaic) A request or petition.
Interest
A person or group of persons holding such a right, claim, or share
A petroleum interest.
Desire
To want; to wish for earnestly.
I desire to speak with you.
Interest
Involvement with or participation in something
She has an interest in the quality of her education.
Desire
To put a request to (someone); to entreat.
Interest
A charge for a loan, usually a percentage of the amount loaned.
Desire
To express a wish for; to entreat; to request.
Interest
An excess or bonus beyond what is expected or due.
Desire
To require; to demand; to claim.
Interest
An interest group.
Desire
To miss; to regret.
Interest
The particular cause supported by an interest group.
Desire
(countable) Someone or something wished for.
It is my desire to speak with you.
You’re my heart’s desire.
Interest
To arouse the curiosity or hold the attention of
Your opinions interest me.
Desire
(uncountable) The feeling of desiring; an eager longing for something.
Too much desire can seriously affect one’s judgment.
Interest
To cause to become involved or concerned with
Tried to interest her in taking a walk.
Desire
(uncountable) Motivation. en
Interest
(Archaic) To concern or affect.
Desire
To long for; to wish for earnestly; to covet.
Neither shall any man desire thy land.
Ye desire your child to live.
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%.
Desire
To express a wish for; to entreat; to request.
Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord?
Desire him to go in; trouble him no more.
Interest
Any excess over and above an exact equivalent
Desire
To require; to demand; to claim.
A doleful case desires a doleful song.
Interest
(uncountable) A great attention and concern from someone or something; intellectual curiosity.
He has a lot of interest in vintage cars.
Desire
To miss; to regret.
She shall be pleasant while she lives, and desired when she dies.
Interest
(uncountable) Attention that is given to or received from someone or something.
Desire
The natural longing that is excited by the enjoyment or the thought of any good, and impels to action or effort its continuance or possession; an eager wish to obtain or enjoy.
Unspeakable desire to see and know.
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.
Desire
An expressed wish; a request; petition.
And slowly was my mother broughtTo yield consent to my desire.
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.
Desire
Anything which is desired; an object of longing.
The Desire of all nations shall come.
Interest
(uncountable) Condition or quality of exciting concern or being of importance.
Desire
Excessive or morbid longing; lust; appetite.
Interest
Injury, or compensation for injury; damages.
Desire
Grief; regret.
Interest
The persons interested in any particular business or measure, taken collectively.
The iron interest;
The cotton interest
Desire
The feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
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.
Desire
An inclination to want things;
A man of many desires
Interest
To be concerned with or engaged in; to affect; to concern; to excite.
Desire
Something that is desired
Interest
(obsolete) To cause or permit to share.
Desire
Feel or have a desire for; want strongly;
I want to go home now
I want my own room
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.
Desire
Expect and wish;
I trust you will behave better from now on
I hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise
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.
Desire
Express a desire for
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Interest
Any excess of advantage over and above an exact equivalent for what is given or rendered.
You shall have your desires with interest.
Interest
The persons interested in any particular business or measure, taken collectively; as, the iron interest; the cotton interest.
Interest
A sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something;
An interest in music
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
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
Interest
A fixed charge for borrowing money; usually a percentage of the amount borrowed;
How much interest do you pay on your mortgage?
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
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
Interest
(usually plural) a social group whose members control some field of activity and who have common aims;
The iron interests stepped up production
Interest
Excite the curiosity of; engage the interest of
Interest
Be on the mind of;
I worry about the second Germanic consonant
Interest
Be of importance or consequence;
This matters to me!
Common Curiosities
What is interest?
Interest refers to curiosity, attention, or engagement with something.
What is desire?
Desire is a strong feeling of wanting or longing for something.
Is satisfaction guaranteed with desire?
Fulfilling a desire can lead to satisfaction, but not always; unmet desires can lead to frustration.
Can interest lead to learning?
Yes, interest often leads to exploration and learning about the subject of interest.
Can desire lead to action?
Yes, desire often leads to focused pursuit or actions to satisfy the craving.
Is desire always related to material things?
No, desire can also be for experiences, emotions, or states of being.
How do culture and society affect desire and interest?
Cultural and societal values can shape what people desire or take an interest in.
Is interest always passive?
Interest can be passive or active, but it doesn't necessarily compel action like desire does.
How does emotional involvement differ between desire and interest?
Desire involves higher emotional intensity, whereas interest is more cognitive and exploratory.
Do desire and interest influence decision-making?
Both can influence decision-making, but desire may have a stronger, more immediate impact.
Is it possible to control one's desires and interests?
While difficult, people can sometimes influence their desires and interests through conscious effort or changes in perspective.
Can someone have multiple desires and interests?
Yes, individuals can have a variety of desires and interests simultaneously.
How do desire and interest contribute to personal growth?
Desire can drive achievement and fulfillment, while interest can lead to knowledge and understanding, both contributing to personal development.
Can one feel interest without desire?
Yes, one can be interested in something without necessarily desiring to possess or achieve it.
Can interests change over time?
Yes, interests can evolve based on new experiences, knowledge, or changes in circumstances.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
