curiosity
11 synonyms and 3 antonyms for curiosity, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A strong desire to learn, know, or explore something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use curiosity
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
out of curiosity
satisfy your curiosity
a curiosity shop
Etymology
From Latin curiositas, from curiosus, "careful, inquisitive" — related to cura, "care."
Full origin of curiosity →Frequently asked questions
What does “curiosity” mean?
The word “curiosity” means a strong desire to learn, know, or explore something. In plain terms, the urge to find out more about something, or an unusual object worth noticing.
How do you pronounce “curiosity”?
“Curiosity” is pronounced kyoor-ree-OS-uh-tee (/ˌkjʊɹ.iˈɑ.sə.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “curiosity” in a sentence?
Here is “curiosity” used in a sentence: “Her curiosity about the abandoned house got the better of her.”
What part of speech is “curiosity”?
“Curiosity” is a noun.
Where does the word “curiosity” come from?
The word “curiosity” comes from Latin. From Latin curiositas, from curiosus, "careful, inquisitive" — related to cura, "care.".
Is “curiosity” a common word?
“Curiosity” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “curiosity” have?
“Curiosity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong desire to learn, know, or explore something.
What is the difference between "curiosity" and "interest"?
"Curiosity" is an active urge to find out or explore something you do not yet understand, while "interest" is a broader, often calmer state of wanting to pay attention to something. Curiosity tends to push you toward questions and investigation, whereas interest can simply mean you enjoy or value a subject.
Can "curiosity" refer to an object as well as a feeling?
Yes. Besides naming the desire to learn, "curiosity" can mean an unusual or interesting object that attracts attention, as in "the shop was full of curiosities." In this sense it often refers to rare, quaint, or collectible items.
