Entry Word: curiosity

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 an eager desire to find out about things that are often none of oneʼs business <the neighborsʼ curiosity about what we paid for our new car was really offensive>

Synonyms curiousness, inquisitiveness, nosiness

Related Words attentiveness, concern, interest, regard; inquiry, interrogation, questioning; intrusiveness, obtrusiveness, officiousness; eavesdropping, rubbernecking

Near Antonyms apathy, disinterestedness, disregard, indifference, unconcern

2 something strange or unusual that is an object of interest <the museumʼs curiosities include items constructed entirely out of toothpicks>

Synonyms curio, exotic, oddity, rarity

Related Words marvel, prodigy, wonder; abnormality, anomaly, freak, monster, monstrosity; malformation, mutant, mutation

3 a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest <an assortment of curiosities from around the world that the family picked up during various vacations> — see knickknack