curious
KYOO-ree-uhs
/ˈkjʊər.i.əs/
Eager to know or learn something; or strange and unusual.
Carries a natural, neutral-to-positive desire to understand things. Can also describe odd phenomena.
The story behind the word. Curious comes from Latin 'curiosus', meaning careful or diligent, derived from 'cura' (care). Over centuries, taking care to examine things evolved into the modern sense of wanting to know everything.
Word relationships
- inquisitive: Inquisitive implies a more active, systematically questioning habit of mind.
- interested: Interested is broader and weaker, whereas curious implies active wonder.
- indifferent: Indifferent implies complete lack of interest or care.
- uninterested: Uninterested describes having no desire to know or participate.
Commonly confused with
- nosy: Curious is general and often positive; nosy is always negative and intrusive into private matters.
Word family
- curiosity (noun): The strong desire to know or learn something.
- curiously (adverb): In a curious manner; surprisingly.
Collocations
- curious mind
- remain curious
- curious case
- naturally curious
Idioms & expressions
- curiosity killed the cat
Example sentences
- "Albert Einstein famously noted that he had no special talent, but was only passionately curious." Personal mindset and lifelong learning
- "The young scientist remained curious about how soil microbes survive extreme temperatures." Scientific inquiry
Memory hook
Think of a CURE-ious doctor who cares so much that they must ask questions to find the cure. Care leads to inquiry.
When not to use
Do not use when describing calculated, aggressive investigation; use 'investigative' or 'probing' instead.
Fun facts
- The phrase 'curiosity killed the cat' originally was 'care killed the cat' in 16th-century English, where 'care' meant sorrow or worry!
Related words
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