curiosity

noun cu·ri·os·i·ty \ ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē , ˌkyər- \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Examples: curiosity in a Sentence

Definition of curiosity

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

See curiosity defined for English-language learners

See curiosity defined for kids

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 of curiosity from the Web

Charley is remembered for his sense of humor and wit, and for his insatiable curiosity for more knowledge, from the cutting edge of scientific research as much as from literature, art, music, and life itself.

— OrlandoSentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 6/13," 13 June 2018
According to the Encyclopedia of World Biography, her childhood home had a basement laboratory, where her father tapped into his scientific curiosity, building a telescope and experimenting with electricity and radio waves.

— fiza pirani, ajc, "Who was Virginia Apgar? Google honors trailblazing doctor who saved millions of babies," 7 June 2018
Expand your curiosity beyond your immediate circumstances.

— kriti sharma, Teen Vogue, "How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Underserved Communities Around the World," 7 June 2018
But my curiosity was piqued—how much, exactly, were these morning people fitting into their evening routines?

— lindsey lanquist, SELF, "41 Morning People Share the Bedtime Routines That Help Them Wake Up So Early," 7 June 2018
Head Line The mind plays a pivotal role in shaping our destiny, and the head line shines light on our intellectual curiosities and pursuits.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "A Beginner's Guide to Reading Palms," 4 June 2018
Ho’s knowledge of wine is only rivaled by his curiosity of it, keeping him constantly learning, humble, and relatable to his customers.

— marissa a. ross, Bon Appetit, "How to Get the Most Out of Your Sommelier," 29 May 2018
Although schoolwork had always come naturally to him, Jenkins began studying harder to hone his curiosity and earn good grades.

— isabella gomez and justin lear, CNN, "He slept in homeless shelters as a kid. Now he's going to Harvard on a full ride," 24 May 2018
Many took to social media to voice their curiosity.

— matthew cappucci, Washington Post, "Destructive line of violent storms kills five in Northeast," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'curiosity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.