curiosity

noun

cu·​ri·​os·​i·​ty ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē How to pronounce curiosity (audio)
ˌkyər-
plural curiosities
1
: desire to know:
a
: inquisitive interest in others' concerns : nosiness
The construction inside their house aroused the curiosity of their neighbors.
b
: interest leading to inquiry
intellectual curiosity
Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions.
2
archaic : undue nicety or fastidiousness
3
a
: one that arouses interest especially for uncommon or exotic characteristics
Tobacco was once regarded as a curiosity in Europe.
b
: an unusual knickknack : curio
The antique shop was full of curiosities.
c
: a curious trait or aspect

Examples of curiosity in a Sentence

Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions. The arrival of a construction crew at their house attracted the curiosity of their neighbors. The movie failed to satisfy her curiosity about the assassination. Tobacco was once a curiosity in Europe. The antique shop was full of curiosities.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Consider a healthcare system that launches a new culture framework: compassion, curiosity, and integrity. Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 But if Laing’s debut novel Crudo is anything to go by, that relentless curiosity drives a story as well as a remembrance. Literary Hub july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025 Though, that doesn't mean lip flips are entirely off the market, causing curiosity around the procedure to grow; a report published by the National Library of Medicine discovered a 33% monthly increase in the search volume for lip flips from 2014-2024. Michelle Lee, People.com, 1 July 2025 More than two decades after researchers first demonstrated that a person could move a computer cursor with their thoughts, several firms are poised to take the brain-computer interface (BCI) from experimental curiosity to commercial product. Jon Hamilton, NPR, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for curiosity

Word History

Etymology

see curious

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curiosity was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Curiosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curiosity. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

curiosity

noun
cu·​ri·​os·​i·​ty ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈäs-ət-ē How to pronounce curiosity (audio)
plural curiosities
1
: an eager desire to learn and often to learn what does not concern one : inquisitiveness
2
a
: something strange or unusual
the curiosities of nature
b
: curio

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