curious

[kyoor-ee-uhs]

adjective

1. eager to learn or know; inquisitive.

   Synonyms: interested, inquiring
   Antonyms: indifferent

2. prying; meddlesome.

   Antonyms: indifferent

3. arousing or exciting speculation, interest, or attention through being inexplicable or highly unusual; odd; strange.

   a curious sort of person;

   a curious scene.

   Synonyms: rare, novel, singular

4. Archaic.

   1. made or prepared skillfully.

   2. done with painstaking accuracy or attention to detail.

      a curious inquiry.

   3. careful; fastidious.

   4. marked by intricacy or subtlety.

curious

/ ˈkjʊərɪəs /

adjective

1. eager to learn; inquisitive

2. overinquisitive; prying

3. interesting because of oddness or novelty; strange; unexpected

4. rare,  (of workmanship, etc) highly detailed, intricate, or subtle

5. obsolete,  fastidious or hard to please

Other Word Forms

• curiously adverb
• curiousness noun
• noncurious adjective
• noncuriously adverb
• noncuriousness noun
• overcurious adjective
• overcuriously adverb
• overcuriousness noun
• supercurious adjective
• supercuriously adverb
• supercuriousness noun
• uncurious adjective
• uncuriously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of curious¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Latin cūriōsus “careful, inquisitive,” equivalent to cūri- (combining form of cūra “care”) + -ōsus -ous; cure

Word History and Origins

Origin of curious¹

C14: from Latin cūriōsus taking pains over something, from cūra care

Synonym Study

Curious, inquisitive, meddlesome, prying refer to taking an undue (and petty) interest in others' affairs. Curious implies a desire to know what is not properly one's concern: curious about a neighbor's habits. Inquisitive implies asking impertinent questions in an effort to satisfy curiosity: inquisitive about a neighbor's habits. Meddlesome implies thrusting oneself into and taking an active part in other people's affairs entirely unasked and unwelcomed: a meddlesome cousin who tries to run the affairs of a family. Prying implies a meddlesome and persistent inquiring into others' affairs: a prying reporter inquiring into the secrets of a business firm.

Example Sentences

If you’re curious to check it out but looking to save a little on tickets, Disneyland has announced a new California ticket offer that goes on sale Dec. 3 and takes effect Jan. 1.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It helps that Hudson and Jackman are naturally sunny, curious people, celebrities who’ve never cared for the sound of being alone.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Back at the A12 cafe, curious Saudis are coming to see what the fuss is about.

Read more on Barron's

The company has been known as Pinkfong since 2022, a name inspired by a cheerful and curious fox that featured in one of its early cartoons.

Read more on BBC

It sits on the middle step and watches me with those huge, curious eyes.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• bizarre 
• exotic 
• extraordinary 
• mysterious 
• peculiar 
• puzzling 
• remarkable 
• strange 
• unique 
• unusual 
• weird 
• wonderful