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

Sanders and his roster of talented bartenders were serving cocktails with peach and dill foams and Thai chili garnishes, and attracting curious customers who traveled from all over the metro area just to get a seat at one of these intimate bars. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

The most curious aspect of Webb’s first night in the play-calling seat was Denver’s pass-run imbalance when the game was still to be decided. — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Portaluppi, whose architectural and interior designs rose to fame during the Art Deco and Rationalist periods, was known for his improbable structures and curious nooks and crannies filled with the sort of surprises that excite one’s inner child. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

Be curious about how the business makes money, about the personalities running each function, about what keeps the CEO up at night, and then ask and listen. — Daria Rudnik, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

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