curio

American  

[kyoor-ee-oh] / ˈkyʊər iˌoʊ /

noun

plural

curios

1. any unusual article, object of art, etc., valued as a curiosity.

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curio British  

/ ˈkjʊərɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. a small article valued as a collector's item, esp something fascinating or unusual

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Usage

What does curio mean? A curio is a small object that’s unusual, novel, or interesting, typically one that’s part of a collection of other such objects.A curio can also be called a curiosity, and in fact it’s a shortening of that word. In a curio collection, there is often a variety of objects. The requirement for an item’s addition to the collection is usually just that it has to be curious, meaning that it arouses curiosity or is interesting in some way.Just about any small thing that one finds interesting can be called a curio, but the word is most often applied to things like antique trinkets, small handcrafted items, or natural objects, like rocks, fossils, and shells.The word curio is commonly associated with the type of case often used to display such collections, which is called a curio cabinet and usually looks like a bookcase with glass doors. The term curio shop typically refers to a souvenir shop that sells curios and other novelty items.Example: When I travel, I like to buy things made by local artisans to add to my curio collection.

Etymology

Origin of curio

First recorded in 1850–55; shortened from curiosity

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, admirers, colleagues and gallery workers have sent her curios from New Mexico, Tennessee, New England and beyond.

From Los Angeles Times

The result is a faintly comic curio that hurtles along without much impact.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet more than a plot-driven work, this curio plays like a sensorial and surreal trip where a magical staircase to heaven blends with the already hypnotic landscape.

From Los Angeles Times

Locals shuffled through makeshift aisles bounded by curio cabinets, wardrobes and home bars styled with faux cocktails for an imaginary party.

From Salon

It was at once a stark avant-garde curio and a communal conversation-starter about representation and reality.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• trinket