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
When looking for leaders to manage a big transition, traits like curiosity, comfort with ambiguity and ability to build coalitions stand out as much as specific technical credentials.
—
Kerry Brown, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Being human means never quite shaking our curiosity about the profound and the mystical.
—Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 18 Sep. 2025
The 84-year-olds both embrace life with fearless curiosity and a shared belief that joy can be found anywhere — even on a shoestring budget.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Newborn puppies are fragile, and a male dog's rough curiosity or jealousy can stress the mother or even endanger the litter.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curiosity
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Kerry Brown, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Being human means never quite shaking our curiosity about the profound and the mystical.
—Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 18 Sep. 2025
The 84-year-olds both embrace life with fearless curiosity and a shared belief that joy can be found anywhere — even on a shoestring budget.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Newborn puppies are fragile, and a male dog's rough curiosity or jealousy can stress the mother or even endanger the litter.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curiosity
Cite this Entry
“Curiosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curiosity. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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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