curious

adjective cu·ri·ous \ˈkyu̇r-ē-əs\

: having a desire to learn or know more about something or someone

: strange, unusual, or unexpected

Full Definition of CURIOUS

a archaic : made carefully

b obsolete : abstruse

c archaic : precisely accurate

a : marked by desire to investigate and learn

b : marked by inquisitive interest in others' concerns : nosy

: exciting attention as strange, novel, or unexpected : odd <a curious coincidence>

— cu·ri·ous·ness noun

See curious defined for English-language learners

See curious defined for kids

Origin of CURIOUS

Middle English, from Anglo-French curios, from Latin curiosus careful, inquisitive, from cura cure

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CURIOUS

Synonyms: inquisitive, nosy (or nosey), prying, snoopy

Antonyms: incurious, uncurious

Synonym Discussion of CURIOUS

curious, inquisitive, prying mean interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern. curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know <children are curious about everything>. inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing <dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives>. prying implies busy meddling and officiousness <prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business>.

Rhymes with CURIOUS

furious, spurious

CURIOUSNESS Defined for Kids

curious

adjective cu·ri·ous \ˈkyu̇r-ē-əs\

Definition of CURIOUS for Kids

: eager to learn : inquisitive <Curious onlookers gathered at the scene.>

: showing an eagerness to learn <a curious expression>

: attracting attention by being strange or unusual : odd <“… I'm a … collector … and I like to look at curious specimens.” — Oliver Butterworth, The Enormous Egg>

— cu·ri·ous·ly adverb