Dictionary
curiosity
noun cu·ri·os·i·ty \ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē\
: the desire to learn or know more about something or someone
: something that is interesting because it is unusual
plural cu·ri·os·i·ties
Full Definition of CURIOSITY
1
: desire to know: a : inquisitive interest in others' concerns : nosiness b : interest leading to inquiry <intellectual curiosity>
2
archaic : undue nicety or fastidiousness
3
See curiosity defined for English-language learners
See curiosity defined for kids
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First Known Use of CURIOSITY
14th century
Related to CURIOSITY
- Synonyms
- curiousness, inquisitiveness, nosiness
- Antonyms
- incuriosity, incuriousness
Rhymes with CURIOSITY
CURIOSITY Defined for Kids
curiosity
noun cu·ri·os·i·ty \ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-sə-tē\
plural cu·ri·os·i·ties
Definition of CURIOSITY for Kids
1
: an eager desire to learn and often to learn things that are another's concern <“What's happening?” he asked with curiosity.>
2
: something strange or unusual <They both sat looking at Harriet as though she were a curiosity put on television to entertain them. — Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy>
3
: an object or article valued because it is strange or rare
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