curiosity

[ kyoor-ee-os-i-tee ]

noun

, plural cu·ri·os·i·ties.

1. the desire to learn or know about anything; inquisitiveness:

   The lesson provoked their curiosity about the natural world.

   She feels that tolerance is fed by knowledge, an open mind, and curiosity about others.

2. a curious, rare, or novel thing:

   Exhibits on display will include such curiosities as preserved smells, infrared briefcases, and cameras hidden in coats.

3. a strange, curious, or interesting quality or feature:

   How bankers from Nova Scotia set up in the Caribbean in the 1880s is a curiosity of financial history.

   One of the human brain's many curiosities is its tendency to see faces in abstract shapes.

4. Archaic. carefulness; fastidiousness.

curiosity

/ ˌkjʊərɪˈɒsɪtɪ /

noun

1. an eager desire to know; inquisitiveness
2. 1. the quality of being curious; strangeness
   2. ( as modifier )

      the ring had curiosity value only

3. something strange or fascinating
4. a rare or strange object; curio
5. obsolete.
   fastidiousness

Other Words From

• non·cu·ri·os·i·ty noun
• o·ver·cu·ri·os·i·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of curiosity¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English curiosite, either from Anglo-French or directly from Latin cūriōsitās, from cūriōs(us) curious + -itās -ity

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. curiosity killed the cat, being too inquisitive is dangerous:

   I'd really like to know what's going on in the boss's head, but then, curiosity killed the cat.

Related Words

• concern
• inquisitiveness
• interest