curiosity

noun

cu·​ri·​os·​i·​ty ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē 

ˌkyər-

plural curiosities

1

: desire to know:

a

: inquisitive interest in others' concerns : nosiness

The construction inside their house aroused the curiosity of their neighbors.

b

: interest leading to inquiry

intellectual curiosity

Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.

2

archaic : undue nicety or fastidiousness

3

a

: one that arouses interest especially for uncommon or exotic characteristics

Tobacco was once regarded as a curiosity in Europe.

b

: an unusual knickknack : curio

The antique shop was full of curiosities.

c

: a curious trait or aspect

Synonyms of curiosity

• concern
• questioning
• inquisitiveness
• interest
• curiousness

Examples of curiosity in a Sentence

Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.

The arrival of a construction crew at their house attracted the curiosity of their neighbors.

The movie failed to satisfy her curiosity about the assassination.

Tobacco was once a curiosity in Europe.

The antique shop was full of curiosities.

Recent Examples on the Web

January 20 – February 18 Messages quicken as curiosity inspires action. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2026

There’s a curiosity around what her personal style was before working at Calvin. —Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2026

June 21 – July 22 Gentle curiosity opens all sorts of windows today. —Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

Fittingly, Daniel Pemberton’s score has that same sense of free-ranging curiosity, flitting between genres at will. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see curious

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for curiosity

• animosity
• generosity
• grandiosity
• nebulosity
• reciprocity
• tortuosity
• tuberosity
• virtuosity
• atrocity
• ferocity
• monstrosity
• pomposity

Kids Definition

curiosity

noun

cu·​ri·​os·​i·​ty ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈäs-ət-ē 

plural curiosities

1

: an eager desire to learn and often to learn what does not concern one : inquisitiveness

2

a

: something strange or unusual

the curiosities of nature

b

: curio