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
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
Throughout the week, coaches and players expressed a combination of curiosity and confidence of how the team would collectively respond.
—
Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Be intentional about modeling behaviors such as curiosity, openness and vulnerability in your friendships and within your community.
—Sahaj Kaur Kohli, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Sep. 2023
Naturally, this has piqued the curiosity of those who study life in the cosmos—astrobiologists.
—Kaitlin Rasmussen, Scientific American, 14 Sep. 2023
But having the curiosity and being compelled to show up is a big deal.
—Sonya Sombreuil, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
And curiosity is one of the most important muscles, curiosity about the world and about others.
—Jenny Comita, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2023
Now, although a few curiosities escape Western availability—such as Whisper of the Heart spinoff Iblard Jikan—almost everything from the studio is available at a click.
—Matt Kamen, WIRED, 7 Sep. 2023
If there are missing patches in the bigger picture, however, the smaller one is filled in with curiosity and care, the film’s subtly permeating atmospherics constantly balancing the banal with the possibly divine.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023
Architecturally interesting and especially high-end homes tend to attract more curiosity, Narenkivicius said.
—Lindsay Crudele, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023
See More
Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Be intentional about modeling behaviors such as curiosity, openness and vulnerability in your friendships and within your community.
—Sahaj Kaur Kohli, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Sep. 2023
Naturally, this has piqued the curiosity of those who study life in the cosmos—astrobiologists.
—Kaitlin Rasmussen, Scientific American, 14 Sep. 2023
But having the curiosity and being compelled to show up is a big deal.
—Sonya Sombreuil, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
And curiosity is one of the most important muscles, curiosity about the world and about others.
—Jenny Comita, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2023
Now, although a few curiosities escape Western availability—such as Whisper of the Heart spinoff Iblard Jikan—almost everything from the studio is available at a click.
—Matt Kamen, WIRED, 7 Sep. 2023
If there are missing patches in the bigger picture, however, the smaller one is filled in with curiosity and care, the film’s subtly permeating atmospherics constantly balancing the banal with the possibly divine.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023
Architecturally interesting and especially high-end homes tend to attract more curiosity, Narenkivicius said.
—Lindsay Crudele, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curiosity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near curiosity
Cite this Entry
“Curiosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curiosity. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
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
More from Merriam-Webster on curiosity
Nglish: Translation of curiosity for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of curiosity for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about curiosity
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