Curious

Definition

Curious refers to a strong desire to learn or know something, often characterized by inquisitiveness. It can also describe something unusual or strange that provokes interest.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈkjʊriəs/
• Respelling: KYOOR-ee-uhs

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈkjʊəriəs/
• Respelling: KYOOR-ee-uhs

The pronunciation of "curious" is almost identical in both American and British English, with minor differences in vowel length.

Etymology

The word "curious" comes from the Latin word "curiosus," meaning "careful" or "inquisitive," derived from "cura," meaning "care" or "concern." It entered the English language in the Middle Ages, initially meaning "careful" or "attentive" before evolving to describe inquisitiveness or interest in acquiring knowledge.

Derivatives

• Curiosity (noun)
• Curiously (adverb)
• Incurious (adjective)
• Overcurious (adjective)
• Uncurious (adjective)

Synonyms

• Inquisitive
• Interested
• Nosy

Antonyms

• Indifferent
• Uninterested
• Incurious

Usage

The adjective "curious" is commonly used to describe a person's desire to learn or understand something new. It can refer to both positive forms of curiosity, such as a love of learning, and negative forms, like being overly nosy or prying. Additionally, the term is used to describe objects or events that are unusual, strange, or interesting enough to provoke attention or investigation.

Related Terms

• Inquisitive: Showing an interest in learning more about something.
• Speculative: Engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge.
• Investigative: Designed to discover information, especially by careful research.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• Having a desire to know or learn: Refers to someone who shows strong interest or inquisitiveness about something.
  • Example: "The child was curious about how airplanes fly."
• Strange or unusual: Used to describe something that is odd or out of the ordinary.
  • Example: "It was a curious coincidence that they both arrived at the same time."