curiosity

American  

[kyoor-ee-os-i-tee] / ˌkyʊər iˈɒs ɪ ti /

noun

plural

curiosities

1. the desire to learn or know about anything; inquisitiveness.

   The lesson provoked their curiosity about the natural world.

   She feels that tolerance is fed by knowledge, an open mind, and curiosity about others.

2. a curious, rare, or novel thing.

   Exhibits on display will include such curiosities as preserved smells, infrared briefcases, and cameras hidden in coats.

3. a strange, curious, or interesting quality or feature.

   How bankers from Nova Scotia set up in the Caribbean in the 1880s is a curiosity of financial history.

   One of the human brain's many curiosities is its tendency to see faces in abstract shapes.

4. Archaic. carefulness; fastidiousness.

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idioms

1. curiosity killed the cat, being too inquisitive is dangerous.

   I'd really like to know what's going on in the boss's head, but then, curiosity killed the cat.

curiosity British  

/ ˌkjʊərɪˈɒsɪtɪ /

noun

1. an eager desire to know; inquisitiveness

2. 1. the quality of being curious; strangeness

   2. ( as modifier )

      the ring had curiosity value only

3. something strange or fascinating

4. a rare or strange object; curio

5. obsolete fastidiousness

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Other Word Forms

• noncuriosity noun
• overcuriosity noun

Etymology

Origin of curiosity

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English curiosite, either from Anglo-French or directly from Latin cūriōsitās, from cūriōs(us) curious + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

The mascots were chosen via a public design contest and represent curiosity, resilience and the spirit of the Alps and Lombardy and named for the primary host cities CosTINA and MILanO.

From Salon

He looks with darting curiosity and unmistakable contempt at the world around him, but that world is reflected on his face: Its neon signage and passing car lights dance on his eyeballs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Later I brought it out, first as a curiosity piece and conversation starter, then as an accidental trivet.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was not so unusual—Alexandra is not such a rare name in the United States—but it was coincidence enough to spark his curiosity.

From Literature

I was terrified and dying of curiosity at the same time, but I couldn’t just flee without finishing the job.

From Literature

Related Words

• concern
• inquisitiveness
• interest