curious

adjective

cu·​ri·​ous ˈkyu̇r-ē-əs How to pronounce curious (audio)
ˈkyər-
1
a
: marked by desire to investigate and learn
They were curious as to who won the game.
The cat was curious about its new environment.
b
: marked by inquisitive interest in others' concerns : nosy
curious about the neighbors' doings
2
: exciting attention as strange, novel, or unexpected : odd
a curious coincidence
We were concerned about his curious behavior.
3
a
archaic : made carefully
b
archaic : precisely accurate
c
obsolete : abstruse
curiousness noun

Did you know?

Since the 1300s, "curious" has been variously used to describe things that in some way require, invite, or are characterized by carefulness or inquisitiveness. In so doing, it carries on the legacy of its Latin source, the adjective curiosus, meaning "careful" or "inquisitive." The comparative of "curious" is "more curious," though it is not unusual to encounter the phrase "curiouser and curiouser," made popular by the title character of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland who, Lewis Carroll tells us, "was so much surprised that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English."

Choose the Right Synonym for curious

curious, inquisitive, prying mean interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern.

curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know.

children are curious about everything

inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.

dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.

prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

Examples of curious in a Sentence

The cat was naturally curious about its new surroundings. They were curious to find out who won the game. We're curious about why you never called us. I'm curious to know more about her. She found a curious old clock in the attic. The birds were engaged in some curious behavior. Their music is a curious blend of disco and rock. By a curious coincidence, they bought a house the same day their old one burned down.
Recent Examples on the Web The nonprofit’s visitors are not the only ones curious about the building, which looks like a mansion from the front, with a long structure extending the whole length of the lot. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024 Explore See latest videos, charts and news Gagnon was always curious about her birth family, and in her late teens embarked on a journey to find them. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2024 Neugebauer was curious about how Alexander, who is speaking with Molina’s own British accent, might have come to America. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 Inventors' Workshop For curious kids, try a staycation that includes an element of learning by doing science activities. Alesandra Dubin, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024 From biscuits and chorizo-thyme gravy ($16) to tres leches bread pudding ($12), there are plenty of opportunities for curious diners to experiment. The Indianapolis Star, 20 Mar. 2024 When a few curious participants wandered up, Reum instructed them only to play and pray with their hearts. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 19 Mar. 2024 Light Verse, which follows 2017’s Beast Epic, is stirring, patient, and curious—descriptors that aren’t necessarily far off from those of previous Iron & Wine records, but which bloom in new ways this time. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2024 Studying this ancient language has kept me curious for more than thirty years. The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French curios, from Latin curiosus careful, inquisitive, from cura cure

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of curious was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near curious

Cite this Entry

“Curious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curious. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

curious

adjective
cu·​ri·​ous ˈkyu̇r-ē-əs How to pronounce curious (audio)
1
: eager to learn
a cat curious about its new surroundings
2
3
: attracting attention by being strange or unusual : odd
a curious old coin
that's curious—they were here yesterday
curiously adverb
curiousness noun
Etymology

Middle English curious "made carefully, skillful, eager to learn," from early French curios (same meaning), from Latin curiosus "careful, inquisitive," from cura "care, healing" — related to accurate, cure

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