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

Gunther is the kind of opponent who rewards a technical worker, which is the argument for this being the best match on the card rather than a curiosity. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

What can endure is curiosity, adaptability and a culture where learning is understood to be part of the job. — Brent Saunders, Fortune, 31 July 2026

Still, Landow keeps returning to the Irish roster’s curiosity, even as the players run five days a week and lift four days a week during summer conditioning. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Vera had been visiting him on the street downtown the day before, which had piqued the curiosity of the other two men, and so Green Bandana had brought them by. — Eric Boodman, STAT, 31 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see curious

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for curiosity

• atrocity
• ferocity
• monstrosity
• pomposity
• porosity
• precocity
• schistosity
• velocity
• verbosity
• viscosity
• animosity
• generosity

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