vested interest — a personal stake or involvement in an undertaking or state of affairs, especially with an expectation of financial gain
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a personal stake or involvement in an undertaking or state of affairs, especially with an expectation of financial gain
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈvestɪd ˈɪntrəst/
Example Sentences
- The candy store owner has a vested interest in keeping the dentist quiet about sugar.
- Politicians often have vested interests in the companies they're supposed to regulate.
- My diet coach has a vested interest in me staying fat - job security!
vested interest
NOUN[/ˈvestɪd ˈɪntrəst/]
a personal stake or involvement in an undertaking or state of affairs, especially with an expectation of financial gain
A vested interest shareholder protects their financial stake in a boardroom merger
Vested interest is a profit-rooted vine—the deeper the entanglement, the harder to unwind
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From the legal term 'vested' (from Latin 'vestire' meaning 'to clothe' or 'to invest'), originally referring to property rights that are legally secured or established. Combined with 'interest' (from Latin 'interesse' meaning 'to concern'), the phrase developed in English law to describe established claims or stakes in a matter.
Breakdown
vest- (to establish or secure, from Latin vestire) + -ed (adjective suffix) + interest (a stake or concern) = vested interest (an established personal stake or involvement, especially financial)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The candy store owner has a vested interest in keeping the dentist quiet about sugar.”
“Politicians often have vested interests in the companies they're supposed to regulate.”
“My diet coach has a vested interest in me staying fat - job security!”
“Shareholders have a vested interest in the company's profitability.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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