curio

noun

ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌō How to pronounce curio (audio)
Definition of curionext
1
as in ornamental
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest be careful of the fragile curios on the end tables

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in rarity
something strange or unusual that is an object of interest a museum's collection of curios brought back from the Far East by 19th-century traders

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of curio Over the past few years, Sofie Birch has amassed a sparkling catalog of bucolic curios on outré labels. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026 Like many a limited series, The Offer faded in our collective memories, its bizarro ’70s pop history a curio of 2022. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 July 2026 The villas are filled with books, instruments, games, curios and thoughtful details that suggest actual living rather than generic hospitality design. — Arion McNicoll, TheWeek, 15 June 2026 Colleen keeps a curio cabinet full of mementos of a baby loved in her all too short life and beyond. — Edie Kasten, CBS News, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for curio
Recent Examples of Synonyms for curio
  1. ornamental
  2. rarity
  3. souvenir
  4. exotic
  5. novelty
  6. knickknack
Noun
  • Late-Modern architect focuses on a sleek design with minimal ornamentals.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2026
  • While this group of pathogens has an extensive range of hosts, it is often observed on woody ornamentals—viburnum or rhododendron, for example—and trees like dogwood or maple.
    — Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of ornamental
Noun
  • Just let that sink in for a little bit, because in today's day and age, the Bruins being anywhere close to the top-25 in football is a rarity.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Meir presented a how-to video for curly-haired spacewomen like herself, while Hathaway kept his bushy mustache — a space rarity — groomed to perfection.
    — Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of rarity
Noun
  • As with any important Christie’s exhibition, an accompanying catalog makes for the ideal souvenir.
    — Tanya Dukes, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Also, a foul ball hit by almost any player would be a nice souvenir.
    — Scott Simon, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of souvenir
Noun
  • There was clearly a market for exotics on a budget and sans passport.
    — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike most six‑figure exotics that depreciate as predictably as the setting sun, the 911 has behaved like a blue‑chip asset, giving owners confidence that their purchase rested on unusually solid financial ground.
    — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of exotic
Noun
  • Eventually, as lesser talents copied the techniques without the wit, the novelty wore thin, giving modernist cuisine a bad name.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The décor surpassed that of a typical sports bar, dingy novelty signs replaced by a mural of Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles, Serena Williams, and Allyson Felix.
    — Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of novelty
Noun
  • Arrow Rock Antiques & Mercantile is stocked with vintage knickknacks and home decor items.
    — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Décor To complement wall art, look for knickknacks and small décor items, such as statues, decorative trays, faux plants, and ceramic pieces.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of knickknack

Browse Nearby Words

curing
curio
curios
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curio.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/curio. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All