Main Entry: cu·ri·ous

Pronunciation: \ˈkyu̇r-ē-əs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French curios, from Latin curiosus careful, inquisitive, from cura cure

Date: 14th century

1 a archaic : made carefully b obsolete : abstruse c archaic : precisely accurate
2 a : marked by desire to investigate and learn b : marked by inquisitive interest in others' concerns : nosy
3 : exciting attention as strange, novel, or unexpected : odd <a curious coincidence>

— cu·ri·ous·ness noun

synonyms curious, inquisitive, prying mean interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern. curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know <children are curious about everything>. inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing <dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives>. prying implies busy meddling and officiousness <prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business>.