Desire vs. Interest: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Desire is a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen, while interest is a feeling of wanting to know or learn about something or someone.
Key Differences
Desire typically connotes a deeper, more intense longing for something, often with an emotional or passionate quality. It is generally associated with a strong drive or ambition to attain a specific outcome or object. Interest, on the other hand, implies a more intellectual or curious inclination towards a subject, person, or activity. It is often characterized by attention, concern, or fascination, but with less intensity than desire.
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Nov 20, 2023
In the realm of motivation, desire acts as a powerful force that propels individuals towards specific goals or objectives, often linked to personal satisfaction or fulfillment. This type of motivation is deeply rooted in the emotional and psychological aspects of human behavior. Interest, however, functions more as a cognitive attraction towards a topic or activity, driven by the desire for knowledge, understanding, or engagement, rather than emotional fulfillment.
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Nov 20, 2023
Desire can be seen as more subjective and personal, often tied to individual experiences, emotions, and needs. It can vary greatly from person to person, influenced by one’s values, culture, and personal experiences. Interest, in contrast, can be influenced by external factors such as societal trends, educational background, and environmental cues, making it somewhat more objective and less tied to personal emotion.
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Nov 20, 2023
When considering decision-making, desires often play a central role in the choices one makes, particularly in personal and intimate aspects of life, like relationships or career paths. These choices are frequently guided by deep-seated desires for happiness, love, success, or recognition. Interest, however, guides choices more in academic, professional, or casual contexts, where the focus is on gaining knowledge, exploring options, or expanding one’s horizons.
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Nov 20, 2023
In summary, while desire and interest both relate to the reasons why individuals are drawn towards certain things, desire is more about emotional yearning and personal fulfillment, while interest is aligned with curiosity, learning, and cognitive engagement.
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Nov 20, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Emotional Intensity
High; often driven by strong emotions
Lower; more intellectually driven
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Goal Orientation
Aimed at fulfilling personal wants or needs
Focused on acquiring knowledge or understanding
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Subjectivity
Highly personal and subjective
More objective and influenced by external factors
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Role in Decision-Making
Central in personal and emotional decisions
Guides choices in academic, professional, or casual contexts
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Duration
Can be long-lasting and persistent
Often fluctuates based on context and new information
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Desire and Interest Definitions
Desire
A strong craving or longing for something.
Her desire for success drove her to work tirelessly.
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Nov 20, 2023
Interest
Curiosity or concern about something or someone.
His interest in ancient history led him to study archaeology.
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Nov 20, 2023
Desire
An intense wish to achieve a particular outcome.
His desire to travel the world was evident in his eyes.
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Nov 20, 2023
Interest
A focus of attention or attraction towards a particular subject.
Their interest in environmental issues resulted in impactful projects.
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Nov 20, 2023
Desire
An earnest aspiration or ambition.
His desire to become an artist shaped his life choices.
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Nov 20, 2023
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Interest
A state of curiosity or concern about or attention to something
An interest in sports.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
A fervent hope or want, often with an emotional basis.
The desire for peace and harmony was universal in the community.
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Nov 20, 2023
Interest
Something, such as a quality, subject, or activity, that evokes this mental state
Counts the theater among his interests.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
To wish or long for; want
A reporter who desires an interview.
A teen who desires to travel.
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Oct 19, 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.
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Interest
Something in which such a right, claim, or share is held
Has interests overseas.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
The feeling of wanting to have something or wishing that something will happen.
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Interest
A person or group of persons holding such a right, claim, or share
A petroleum interest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
An instance of this feeling
She had a lifelong desire to visit China.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interest
Involvement with or participation in something
She has an interest in the quality of her education.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
An object of such feeling or passion
A quiet evening with you is my only desire.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interest
To arouse the curiosity or hold the attention of
Your opinions interest me.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
To want emotionally or sexually.
She has desired him since they first met.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interest
To cause to become involved or concerned with
Tried to interest her in taking a walk.
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Oct 19, 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%.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
(countable) Someone or something wished for.
It is my desire to speak with you.
You’re my heart’s desire.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interest
(uncountable) A great attention and concern from someone or something; intellectual curiosity.
He has a lot of interest in vintage cars.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
(uncountable) Strong attraction, particularly romantic or sexual.
His desire for her kept him awake at night.
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Interest
(uncountable) Attention that is given to or received from someone or something.
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Desire
(uncountable) The feeling of desiring; an eager longing for something.
Too much desire can seriously affect one’s judgment.
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Oct 19, 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.
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Oct 19, 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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
To long for; to wish for earnestly; to covet.
Neither shall any man desire thy land.
Ye desire your child to live.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interest
(uncountable) Condition or quality of exciting concern or being of importance.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
To require; to demand; to claim.
A doleful case desires a doleful song.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interest
The persons interested in any particular business or measure, taken collectively.
The iron interest;
The cotton interest
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
To miss; to regret.
She shall be pleasant while she lives, and desired when she dies.
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Oct 19, 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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interest
To be concerned with or engaged in; to affect; to concern; to excite.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
An expressed wish; a request; petition.
And slowly was my mother broughtTo yield consent to my desire.
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Desire
Anything which is desired; an object of longing.
The Desire of all nations shall come.
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Oct 19, 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.
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Oct 19, 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.
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Oct 19, 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.
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Oct 19, 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.
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Oct 19, 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.
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Oct 19, 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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
Feel or have a desire for; want strongly;
I want to go home now
I want my own room
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Oct 19, 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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
Expect and wish;
I trust you will behave better from now on
I hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise
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Oct 19, 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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interest
The persons interested in any particular business or measure, taken collectively; as, the iron interest; the cotton interest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Desire
A deep-seated yearning for something or someone.
She felt a strong desire to reconnect with her old friends.
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Nov 20, 2023
Interest
A sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something;
An interest in music
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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
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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
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Interest
A fixed charge for borrowing money; usually a percentage of the amount borrowed;
How much interest do you pay on your mortgage?
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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
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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
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Interest
(usually plural) a social group whose members control some field of activity and who have common aims;
The iron interests stepped up production
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Oct 19, 2023
Interest
An inclination to want to learn about or engage with something.
Her interest in science inspired her to conduct experiments.
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Nov 20, 2023
Interest
The state of wanting to know or learn about something.
The child's interest in animals was evident in her questions.
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Nov 20, 2023
Interest
Engagement or involvement in a particular activity or subject.
His interest in chess made him a strategic thinker.
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Nov 20, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is desire always emotional?
Yes, desire is typically emotional and connected to personal fulfillment.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can desire change over time?
Yes, desires can evolve based on personal growth and life experiences.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can interest lead to desire?
Yes, an initial interest can develop into a deeper desire over time.
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Nov 20, 2023
Does interest require active engagement?
Generally, yes; interest often involves active exploration or learning.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is desire always positive?
Not necessarily; desires can be positive or negative, depending on their nature and impact.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is interest a choice or an innate feeling?
It can be both; some interests are innate, while others are chosen or developed.
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Nov 20, 2023
Are desires always conscious?
Not always; some desires may be subconscious or not immediately recognized.
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Nov 20, 2023
Does interest always require effort?
Interest often requires some level of effort, especially to maintain or deepen it.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can everyone experience desire?
Yes, desire is a common human experience, though its objects and intensity vary.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is interest always based on knowledge?
Interest is often knowledge-driven but can also stem from curiosity or fascination.
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Nov 20, 2023
Do desires influence our behavior?
Yes, desires can significantly influence decisions and actions.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can lack of interest be changed?
Yes, interest can be cultivated or rekindled through exposure and engagement.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is interest a sign of intelligence?
Interest can be a sign of intellectual curiosity, but it's not the only indicator of intelligence.
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Can we control our desires?
To some extent, but many desires are deeply ingrained and hard to fully control.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is it possible to have no interests?
It's rare; most people have at least some interests, even if they're not always apparent.
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Nov 20, 2023
How do desires affect relationships?
Desires can greatly impact relationships, either positively or negatively.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is interest necessary for learning?
While not strictly necessary, interest greatly enhances the learning process.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can desires be harmful?
Yes, if unchecked, some desires can lead to negative outcomes or behaviors.
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Nov 20, 2023
Are desires influenced by culture?
Yes, cultural background can significantly shape and influence desires.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can interests lead to a career choice?
Yes, many people choose careers based on their interests and passions.
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Nov 20, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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