Cool MateInterest vs Stake
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Interest
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Stake
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1noun
Most common: Interest
| Interest | Stake | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪntrəst//ˈɪntrest/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪntrəst//ˈɪntrest/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/steɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/steɪk/"]/ |
| Meaning | a feeling of wanting to know or learn about something | A stake is a strong post or a share in something. |
| Example | I have a great interest in painting and art. | He drove a wooden stake into the ground to mark the boundary of his property. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | avid, close, considerable, have, evince, express, grow, flag, wane, for interest, out of interest, with interest, great, particular, special, be of, hold no, add, lie in, of interest, diverse, varied, wide, have, share, pursue, annual, monthly, etc., earn, receive, pay, accrue, bear, rate, payment, charge, interest on, a rate of interest, best interest, best interests, own, defend, guard, look after, lie in something, be at stake, group, against somebody’s/something’s interest, contrary to somebody’s/something’s interest, in somebody’s/something’s interest, a conflict of interest, a conflict of interests, have somebody’s interests at heart, powerful, controlling, majority, have, sell, interest in, best interest, best interests, own, defend, guard, look after, lie in something, be at stake, group, against somebody’s/something’s interest, contrary to somebody’s/something’s interest, in somebody’s/something’s interest, a conflict of interest, a conflict of interests, have somebody’s interests at heart | controlling, large, majority, have, own, acquire, stake in, big, high, low, play for, raise, lower, at stake, with so much at stake |
| Antonyms | disinterest, indifference | disinterest, detachment |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'interesting' or 'interested', Using 'interest' as a verb incorrectly, Mixing up 'interest' with 'curiosity' | Confused with 'steak', the food., Using 'stake' without an object, like saying 'I have a stake' without specifying what it's in., Overusing 'stake' in informal settings. |
| Usage notes | Used in both spoken and written English, 'interest' is appropriate in casual conversations and formal contexts. Avoid using it in overly technical discussions where more specific terms might be preferred. | Use 'stake' when talking about interests in projects, money, or property. It's neutral, suitable for both formal and casual contexts. Avoid using 'stake' in overly casual conversations as it may sound too serious. |
Frequently asked questions: Interest vs Stake
What's the difference between Interest and Stake?
Interest: a feeling of wanting to know or learn about something Stake: A stake is a strong post or a share in something.
Which is more common: Interest and Stake?
Interest is the most common in everyday English.
Are Interest and Stake the same CEFR level?
Interest: A1, Stake: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Interest and Stake interchangeably?
Not always. Interest and Stake are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.