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
This history can be seen in the hotel’s design, but in a subtle way to encourage curiosity.
—
Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
The child is nudged forward by an ambitious parent, by an influential teacher, or simply by a curiosity that, like water, insists on finding its way in and out.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Some adults want their children to develop AI literacy; others see chatbots as a way to indulge young kids’ endless curiosities or engage their creativity.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 14 July 2025
Man’s curiosity, his relentlessness, his inventiveness, his ingenuity have led him into deep trouble.
—Sam Weller
july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for curiosity
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Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
The child is nudged forward by an ambitious parent, by an influential teacher, or simply by a curiosity that, like water, insists on finding its way in and out.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Some adults want their children to develop AI literacy; others see chatbots as a way to indulge young kids’ endless curiosities or engage their creativity.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 14 July 2025
Man’s curiosity, his relentlessness, his inventiveness, his ingenuity have led him into deep trouble.
—Sam Weller
july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 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 Jul. 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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