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
• nosey
• nosy
• concerned
• prying
• questioning
• officious
• intrusive
• quizzical
• obtrusive
• snoopy
• 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
• crazy
• unusual
• eccentric
• unique
• quirky
• abnormal
• kinky
• wild
• funky
• offbeat
• off-the-wall
• whacky
• wacky
• uncommon
• screwy
• quaint
• out-of-the-way
• outlandish
• kooky
• rare
• unconventional
• fantastical
• queer
• way-out
• outré
• weirdo
• cranky
• extraordinary
• outrageous
• rum
• far-out
• shocking
• kookie
• queerish
• fantastic
• off-kilter
• freaky
• noticeable
• freak
• outstanding
• bizarro
• striking
• prominent
• freakish
• notable
• conspicuous
• puzzling
• flaky
• spaced-out
• atypical
• perplexing
• phenomenal
• aberrant
• baffling
• salient
• idiosyncratic
• unwonted
• singular
• out-there
• phantasmagoric
• bewildering
• phantasmagorical
• mystifying
• confounding
• unorthodox
• nonconformist
• atrocious
• crotchety
• addlepated
• nonmainstream
• uncustomary

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
• offbeat
• unaccustomed
• out-of-the-way
• special
• singular
• eccentric
• remarkable
• queer
• abnormal
• uncustomary
• noticeable
• oddball
• noteworthy
• outlandish
• exceptional
• outré
• atypical
• notable
• kookie
• particular
• kooky
• far-out
• way-out
• aberrant
• newsworthy
• irregular

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Try This Instead

For

Try This

curious people

inquisitive people

adventurous people

fascinated people

interested people

concerned people

a curious situation

a peculiar situation

an intriguing situation

a mysterious situation

a fascinating situation

an interesting situation

a curious mixture

an unusual mixture

a strange mixture

a surprising mixture

a clever mixture

a bizarre mixture

a curious look

a peculiar look

a puzzled look

a contemplative look

a suspicious look

an uncertain look

curious onlookers

nosy onlookers

enthralled onlookers

anxious onlookers

eager onlookers

inquisitive onlookers

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

One curious thing about the study was that all the participants lost a little bit less weight, on average, than has been measured with the same medications in other trials. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 16 May 2025

Akinyemi encourages people to get curious about their responses. —Stephanie Long, Essence, 15 May 2025

Everyone gets triggered, but elite entrepreneurs get curious Everyone gets triggered. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Fortunately, they are met by curious neighbors who saunter into Robyn and Dante’s love nest. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 May 2025

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