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
By modeling humility and curiosity, Nadella set the tone for a culture of growth and collaboration—a move that played a critical role in Microsoft’s remarkable resurgence.
—
Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Students engage with their teachers and peers, rediscovering curiosity and critical thinking that are too often buried beneath endless notifications.
—Neela Mukherjee Lockel, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025
So, why not head next door — in a friendly way, not a mournful one — and express your natural curiosity?
—Philip Galanes, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Our president-elect has no technical background, nor even curiosity, to even vaguely understand the issue.
—Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for curiosity 
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Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Students engage with their teachers and peers, rediscovering curiosity and critical thinking that are too often buried beneath endless notifications.
—Neela Mukherjee Lockel, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025
So, why not head next door — in a friendly way, not a mournful one — and express your natural curiosity?
—Philip Galanes, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Our president-elect has no technical background, nor even curiosity, to even vaguely understand the issue.
—Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for curiosity
Dictionary Entries Near curiosity
Cite this Entry
“Curiosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curiosity. Accessed 19 Jan. 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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