curiosity
noun
cu·ri·os·i·ty
ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē 
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
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
David has imbued Larry with so much guilt, exceptionalism, cluelessness, terror, cowardice, innocence, avoidance, vindictive zeal, genuine curiosity and joie de vivre that the performance becomes what Larry loves: a buffet.
—
Wesley Morris Ron Butler Emma Kehlbeck Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Staying competitive requires an ability to adapt to rapidly evolving business norms, a sense of exploration and intellectual curiosity, and the willingness to keep up-to-speed on the latest innovations.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
The interest in the tournament goes beyond mere curiosity.
—Harry Enten, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Entertainment Add-Ons When dialing your design, be sure to lean into chickens’ inherent curiosity.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight
by Andrew Leland
The Volcano Lovers
For travelers in the Romantic period, Mount Vesuvius was an object of scientific curiosity, a political allegory, and a touchstone of the sublime.
—The New York Review of Books, 29 Mar. 2024
This fire sign is distinctive in the zodiac world and is best-known for its curiosity, passion, adaptability, and thirst for knowledge and adventure.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2024
Like the walls of his tenement house, lined with calendar clippings, the museum that bears his name is born of curiosity, of being awake to the world, and terribly, marvelously interested.
—Angelica Aboulhosn, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
The Ukrainian military official acknowledged the possibility that the tasking was just a benevolent citizen or group with curiosity about obscure Ukrainian military assets and armor factories.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2024
Wesley Morris Ron Butler Emma Kehlbeck Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Staying competitive requires an ability to adapt to rapidly evolving business norms, a sense of exploration and intellectual curiosity, and the willingness to keep up-to-speed on the latest innovations.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
The interest in the tournament goes beyond mere curiosity.
—Harry Enten, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Entertainment Add-Ons When dialing your design, be sure to lean into chickens’ inherent curiosity.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight
by Andrew Leland
The Volcano Lovers
For travelers in the Romantic period, Mount Vesuvius was an object of scientific curiosity, a political allegory, and a touchstone of the sublime.
—The New York Review of Books, 29 Mar. 2024
This fire sign is distinctive in the zodiac world and is best-known for its curiosity, passion, adaptability, and thirst for knowledge and adventure.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2024
Like the walls of his tenement house, lined with calendar clippings, the museum that bears his name is born of curiosity, of being awake to the world, and terribly, marvelously interested.
—Angelica Aboulhosn, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
The Ukrainian military official acknowledged the possibility that the tasking was just a benevolent citizen or group with curiosity about obscure Ukrainian military assets and armor factories.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curiosity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near curiosity
Cite this Entry
“Curiosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curiosity. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
curiosity
noun
cu·ri·os·i·ty
ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈäs-ət-ē
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
More from Merriam-Webster on curiosity
Nglish: Translation of curiosity for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of curiosity for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about curiosity
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