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

The book therefore becomes, often despite itself, a curious ethnography of luxury in which the exceptional has become ordinary. — Olivier Bouchara, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026

The magazine has turned into a global media brand, which aims to help kids become curious, creative, caring and confident through content that nurtures and develops kids. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026

Every time a celebrity dies, many grow curious about their inheritance. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 29 Sep. 2026

Its claims of clearing up crepiness within two days have content creators curious to test it out—but it’s recommended in clinics as well as on FYPs. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026

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