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
The article argues that curiosity is vital for navigating this change.
—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
This is an edition of The Wonder Reader, a newsletter in which our editors recommend a set of stories to spark your curiosity and fill you with delight.
—
Isabel Fattal,
The Atlantic,
4 July 2026
Still, Jefferson’s curiosity illustrates how closely America’s founders followed advances in mechanical technology, long before industrialization.
—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
3 July 2026
Warsh will need that curiosity in the current economic environment, particularly when so much hinges on the promise of AI.
—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for curiosity
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
This is an edition of The Wonder Reader, a newsletter in which our editors recommend a set of stories to spark your curiosity and fill you with delight.
—
Isabel Fattal,
The Atlantic,
4 July 2026
Still, Jefferson’s curiosity illustrates how closely America’s founders followed advances in mechanical technology, long before industrialization.
—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
3 July 2026
Warsh will need that curiosity in the current economic environment, particularly when so much hinges on the promise of AI.
—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for curiosity
Cite this Entry
“Curiosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curiosity. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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