Synonyms of curious

curious

adjective

ˈkyu̇r-ē-əs 

1

as in inquisitive

interested in what is not one's own business

curious neighbors peered out of their windows as the new people moved in

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inquisitive
• interested
• prying
• nosy
• questioning
• concerned
• officious
• intrusive
• quizzical
• snoopy
• obtrusive
• meddlesome
• meddling
• interrogative
• inquisitorial
• interfering
• inquisitional

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifferent
• incurious
• disinterested
• uncurious
• uninterested
• unconcerned
• apathetic

2

as in strange

different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion

that's a pretty curious coincidence—almost too curious to be believed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strange
• bizarre
• funny
• weird
• odd
• peculiar
• remarkable
• erratic
• eccentric
• unusual
• crazy
• unique
• quirky
• abnormal
• wild
• kinky
• wacky
• screwy
• queer
• funky
• kooky
• offbeat
• off-the-wall
• quaint
• uncommon
• out-of-the-way
• outlandish
• unconventional
• rare
• cranky
• outré
• weirdo
• extraordinary
• outrageous
• rum
• far-out
• way-out
• queerish
• shocking
• fantastic
• off-kilter
• freaky
• noticeable
• outstanding
• freak
• bizarro
• striking
• prominent
• freakish
• notable
• conspicuous
• puzzling
• flaky
• spaced-out
• atypical
• perplexing
• phenomenal
• aberrant
• baffling
• singular
• salient
• idiosyncratic
• unwonted
• out-there
• phantasmagoric
• bewildering
• mystifying
• confounding
• unorthodox
• nonconformist
• atrocious
• crotchety
• addlepated
• uncustomary
• nonmainstream

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• normal
• typical
• usual
• ordinary
• average
• standard
• everyday
• commonplace
• routine
• prosaic
• garden
• familiar
• conservative
• conventional
• unremarkable
• predictable
• unexceptional
• expected
• common
• run-of-the-mill
• workaday
• frequent
• regular
• conformist
• customary
• habitual
• knee-jerk
• wonted

3

as in unusual

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced

that is one of the most curious paintings I've ever seen

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unusual
• uncommon
• funny
• strange
• weird
• rare
• odd
• peculiar
• extraordinary
• unique
• bizarre
• unaccustomed
• out-of-the-way
• queer
• special
• offbeat
• singular
• eccentric
• remarkable
• abnormal
• uncustomary
• noticeable
• oddball
• noteworthy
• exceptional
• outlandish
• outré
• atypical
• notable
• kooky
• particular
• far-out
• way-out
• aberrant
• irregular
• newsworthy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• common
• usual
• ordinary
• plain
• familiar
• normal
• typical
• regular
• unexceptional
• predictable
• expected

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective curious contrast with its synonyms?

The words inquisitive and prying are common synonyms of curious. While all three words 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

When could inquisitive be used to replace curious?

The words inquisitive and curious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.

dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

When is prying a more appropriate choice than curious?

The synonyms prying and curious are sometimes interchangeable, but prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.

prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of curious

Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Which horizon tempts your curious steps now? —Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026

Happy couples always remain curious. —Mark Travers, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026

As a plant biologist, Kato knew that bioplastics could be made from plants and got curious about the possibilities. —ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026

This hilarious musical follows Maizy, a curious bride-to-be, who's looks for answers to her town's failing corn crops. —Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Feb. 2026

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