curiouscu‧ri‧ous /ˈkjʊəriəs $ ˈkjʊr-/ ●●○ W3 adjective 
Puppies are naturally curious.curious about He was curious about how she would react.curious to know/see/hear etc Mandy was curious to know what happened.curious look/glance Her shouting attracted some curious glances from other people in the restaurant.2strange or unusual: He felt a curious mixture of excitement and panic. a curious coincidence It’s curious that she left without saying goodbye.► see thesaurus at strange
WORD ORIGINcurious
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French curios, from Latin curiosus ‘careful, wanting to know’, from cura; ➔ CURE1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Why do you want to know about Catherine?" "Oh no reason. I'm just curious."
- A few curious neighbors came out to see what was going on.
- Being naturally curious animals, cats often find their way into dangerous places.
- Even young children often become curious about drugs.
- He had come to some curious arrangement with his landlady.
- He was curious to find out why she had left her job so suddenly.
- I'm not being nosy, I'm just curious.
- It was a weird situation, and I was curious to learn more.
- Life in the village was a curious combination of the old and the very new.
- People have always been curious about exactly how life on earth began.
- The principal's response to the problem was curious.
- The visitors were soon surrounded by a crowd of curious children.
- At first Wexford felt a curious distaste and then he thought about the dead man and what he knew of him.
- But even I am a little bit curious as to what the top news stories are.
- It is curious, by the way, that the gridiron plan should have gone on so long.
- She looked through the drawers of Bob's desk, curious to explore even the most unconsidered corners of his life.
- String theory has a curious history.
- The result is a curious hybrid that values action and physical movement above all else.
- They had once been white, he remembered, but now they had turned a curious shade of yellow.
- Upon learning of this daily miracle, a curious neighbor gave the fish a whack.
THESAURUS
[not usually before noun] giving your attention to something because you want to know more about it or you enjoy it: · Recently I’ve got very interested in photography.
[not usually before noun] very interested by something you see, read, or hear about: · She watched, fascinated, as the bird came closer until she could almost touch it.· The more I read about the place, the more fascinated I became.
wanting to find out more information about something: · Small children are naturally curious.· I was curious to find out the reasons for his sudden departure.
[not before noun] interested in something because it seems strange or mysterious: · He was intrigued by her story.
informal used when talking about the kind of things you are interested in and enjoy doing: · Are you into classical music?· I got into (=became interested in) yoga when I was at college.
unusual or surprising, especially in a way that is difficult to understand, or that is a little frightening: · What’s that strange noise downstairs?· That’s strange – I’m sure I left my keys on the table.· a strange old man
especially spoken a little strange and making you feel slightly surprised or worried: · There’s a funny smell in the kitchen.· It’s odd that you can’t remember him at all.
especially written strange, especially in an interesting way. Curious is a little more formal than strange: · a curious fact· There’s something rather curious about small-town America.· She remembered curious little details.
strange – used about something that people know little about and are unable to explain or understand: · He had disappeared in mysterious circumstances.· There were reports of mysterious lights in the sky.
strange in a way that seems slightly crazy and amusing – used about people and their behaviour: · He lived completely alone and had some slightly eccentric habits.· an eccentric old lady
slightly strange, and different from what you would normally expect – used especially when this is either amusing or worrying: · She sometimes wears rather peculiar clothes.· He had a peculiar expression on his face.
Longman Language Activatorsomeone who likes to find out about things wanting to find out about someone or something because you are very interested in them: · "Why do you want to know about Catherine?" "Oh no reason. I'm just curious."· Being naturally curious animals, cats often find their way into dangerous places.curious about: · Even young children often become curious about drugs.curious to learn/know/see etc: · It was a weird situation, and I was curious to learn more.
the desire to find out about things: · Events like these excite a child's natural curiosity.curiosity about: · Olly was bursting with curiosity about the new house.satisfy somebody's curiosity (=tell them about something so that they are no longer curious): · To satisfy vistors' curiosity, park officials have prepared maps on which the historical sites are clearly marked.
always wanting to find out about what people are doing, how things work, what is happening etc: · Jenny was a very inquisitive child, always asking "why?"· The crowded room was filled with lights, cameras, and inquisitive reporters.· The kids were wide-eyed and inquisitive.
always wanting to find out things that do not concern you, especially other people's private affairs: · A nosy neighbor actually videotaped them in their own backyard.· At first, the children are afraid to ask questions they think might be impolite or nosy.
feeling interested in something if you are interested in something, you give it your attention because you want to know more about it: · The children seemed very interested when I showed them my photographs.· I can't remember the name of the book, but if you're interested I can find out.interested in: · I've never really been interested in politics.· Bob first got interested in motor cycles when he was about sixteen.interested to know/hear/see/learn etc something: · You're an expert on legal problems - I'd be interested to know what you think.· We'd be very interested to hear your opinion about this.
to feel interested in something because it is the type of thing that you usually like to know more about: · It's a book about travelling round India. I thought you'd find it interesting.find sth interesting to read/watch/hear about etc: · I always find wildlife programmes interesting to watch.
especially written if you do something with interest , you do it in a way that shows you are interested: · Richard listened with interest to the conversation at the next table.with great interest: · I read with great interest your article concerning the history of the university.
if there is interest in something, several or a lot of people are interested in it and want to find out more about it: · There has always been a lot of interest in the question of life on other planets.· The Head of Geography said the project was an example of the school's continuing interest in environmental issues.take an interest in something: · I was a teenager when I first took a serious interest in films.· Children with parents who take an interest in their education generally do better at school.
to say or do something to show that you are interested in something: · If you think you'd like the job, you should at least express an interest.show/express (an) interest in: · Several companies have already expressed interest in our research.· At a few weeks old, most babies are showing an interest in what is going on around them.
eager to find out more about something because you are interested but do not know much about it: · The visitors were soon surrounded by a crowd of curious children.· I'm not being nosy, I'm just curious.curious about: · People have always been curious about exactly how life on earth began.curious to know/find out/discover etc something: · He was curious to find out why she had left her job so suddenly.
extremely interested in something that you are watching or listening to, especially because it is unusual: · She watched, fascinated, as the bird came closer until she could almost touch it.· The more I heard about him, the more fascinated I became.fascinated by: · I was fascinated by her stories of her childhood in Africa.fascinated to discover/find out/learn etc: · He was fascinated to discover that they had both been born in the same town on the same day.
to have a very strong and often unusual interest in something: · I've always had this strange fascination with the circus.· Her writing shows a fascination for the darker side of life.
interested by something and eager to know more about it, because it seems mysterious or strange: · "Stop me if I'm boring you." "No, please carry on - I'm intrigued!"· Scientists became intrigued by the rock, which appeared to have come from outer space.intrigued by: · Diana was intrigued by Sue's cryptic message on the answerphone.intrigued to find out/learn/know etc: · I was intrigued to find that she spoke Aramaic.
British spoken informal to be very interested in a subject or activity, and to spend a lot of time on it because you enjoy it: · Both the kids are into computer games at the moment, and nothing else!be into doing something: · Luke's really into keeping fit - he goes running at 6 o'clock every day.
strange situations, experiences, smells, tastes etc very different from what you expect or from what usually happens, in a way that makes you feel a little frightened or surprised: · A strange noise woke her up.· I had a strange feeling that I'd been there before.· Amanda's eyes glowed in a strange way, like a cat's.· He seemed to know lots of things about me, but the strange thing is I didn't even tell him my name.it is strange that: · It's strange that you've never met him - he lives in your street.
also odd especially British something funny or odd is a little strange and it makes you feel slightly worried or surprised because you cannot explain it or you do not know what it is: · There's a funny smell coming from the fridge.· Thumps and laughter and odd noises were coming out of the living room.it is funny/odd that: · It seems odd that no one noticed him coming in.· It's funny that he managed to hit the ball because he never hits it in practice.that's funny/that's odd spoken: · "Your keys aren't here." "That's funny - I'm sure I left them on the table."
strange and slightly unpleasant: · This meat tastes peculiar.· I've been having very peculiar dreams the past few weeks.· I heard a peculiar warbling from the living room.
use this about something that people know very little about and that is difficult to explain or understand: · No one could offer an explanation for his mysterious disappearance.· I kept getting mysterious phone calls where the caller would hang up as soon as I answered.under mysterious circumstances: · Two weeks later, the shop burned to the ground under mysterious circumstances.
a weird experience, feeling, sight, or sound is strange and very different from what you are used to: · She only had lipstick on her bottom lip which looked pretty weird.· It's a weird feeling to go back to a place that you lived in a long time ago.
extremely strange, and very different from what is generally considered to be normal, especially in a frightening or slightly worrying way: · Woods disappeared in very bizarre circumstances, and no trace of him has ever been found.· It was bizarre - if we took longer than five minutes in the bathroom, we had to explain why to our manager.
strange and frightening: · An eerie howl filled the cave.· I had the eerie feeling that somebody was watching me.· The pumps were shut off now. It was eerie, being in the factory without their sound.
extremely strange, because nothing seems connected with real life or normal experiences, and things happen or appear together that do not belong together: · Living on the commune turned out to be a surreal experience.· The whole trial and the media circus surrounding it was surreal.
strange and surprising but interesting, so that you want to know more about it: · Life in the village was a curious combination of the old and the very new.· He had come to some curious arrangement with his landlady.
an ironic situation seems strange and amusing, because something happens that you would not expect at all: · Her car was stolen from outside the police station, which is pretty ironic.· One of the study's ironic discoveries is that TV trials educate the public about the justice system better than actual trials.it is ironic that: · It's ironic that professional athletes are often such unhealthy people.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Mandy was curious to know what happened. Her shouting attracted some curious glances from other people in the restaurant. It’s curious that she left without saying goodbye.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1wanting to know about something: Mandy was curious to know what happened. Her shouting attracted some curious glances from other people in the restaurant. It’s curious that she left without saying goodbye.· What a strange coincidence that you were both living in Bangkok at the same time.
· It is a remarkable fact that elephants do not use their trunks to suck up water until they are over four months old.
· They ignored the curious stares directed at them.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· I must confess I was as curious as they were so I kept an eye on the cottage to see who came.· And the ear is just as curious.· Teachers say Down's children are just as curious and interested as other children.· As he got up to speak, she said, she was as curious as anyone else about what would pour out.· The people were better dressed, but just as curious.
· Le Pen's outburst illustrates just how curious is this retention of antisemitism.· I believe there are no red-headed Civil Servants. How curious.
· I began to feel ashamed of my nosiness but I hadn't intended to be nosey: I was just curious.· The Educorp catalogue also lists some more contemplative, or just curious, examples, including the Bogie Stack.· He says he's just curious.· I was standing at the back of the tent, just curious.· Some were just curious, and would pretend to have lost their way and hope to be invited to spend a night.
· And even more curious - they don't usually dispense £20 notes.· The black one continued to look Glover over, but he was relaxed, more curious than anything.· Now she was even more curious about his tastes, his means, his life alone.
· It was one of the most curious things I had ever seen.· Of course, the most curious of all former Salomon Brothers mortgage traders is Howie Rubin.· This Dickens was a most curious man.· The most curious finding, according to Shmeltzer, was that the labels in the suspects' clothes had been torn out.· A sweet tooth One of the most curious symptoms of candidiasis is a craving for sugary foods or for foods containing yeast.· Outwardly, the most curious aspect of Neon Prophet is that none of them are Rastafarian.· Something else which is expected of him; the most curious manifestation of noblesseoblige.· This is most curious, considering that in the same column he seems to directly contradict this very point.
· A rather curious look from Prince Philip wondering, no doubt, how this lowly two-ringer got into the act.· We have Sigmund Freud to thank for a rather curious state of affairs.· The emphasis on pace bowling meant that he found himself in a rather curious position.· This seems a rather curious reading.· This is a rather curious argument about sign language.
· So you start out from some curious notion you have hit on, or even not so curious.· The story behind the rumour is so curious, however, that it is worth telling none the less.· I can not say why I suddenly became so curious about him.
· But then my eye caught a pair of heavy wool embroidered curtains drawn across an angled alcove. Very curious.· Normally, these are very curious animals.· At least the wines tasted very curious to my inexpert palate.· Yes, says Black, settling in comfortably to the languor of the moment, a number of very curious stories.· I was very curious about the other contents of the suitcase which was now lying on the floor near me.· Biting a tree and then running away seemed like a very curious and wasteful behavior.· When she saw it was Nick Frazer something very curious happened.· Now she did a very curious thing: she explored all the subterranean passages connecting the Columbia buildings.
NOUN· Was it relevant to his enquiry, or just a curious coincidence?· By curious coincidence, the suitable candidates are somehow always chaps.· Lagutin was the subject of a curious coincidence the following day.· It was just a curious coincidence that Hatton had been killed on the day following that of Mrs Fanshawe's regaining consciousness.
· It is a curious fact that the Nizan Case was ultimately dominated more by fiction than by fact.· A curious fact which might seem at first to constitute an exception to this explanation turns out to provide further confirmation of it.· Nor does Hinkes tell us another curious fact.· The curious facts of Ipswich v Fisons were being relied on to support the distinction.· It is also a curious fact that the older the remains of industry are the better they are regarded.· This probably does not take most people by surprise-yet it is a curious fact.
· I wonder if they will ask me to go, but apart from a few curious glances, quickly snuffed, they ignore me.· Robyn could tell the minute she met their curious glances.· In running the same course of action is likely to do little more than raise a few curious glances from fellow competitors.· Even with Owen, she attracted some curious glances from people at adjoining tables.· Once outside, she stood uncertainly for a moment, oblivious to the curious glances of passers-by.· Even the wallabies, for whom bouncing around is a way of life, cast a curious glance.· He held the door open and she passed through, followed by many curious glances.
· A rather curious look from Prince Philip wondering, no doubt, how this lowly two-ringer got into the act.· Some of the men gave him curious looks because of the blood that had sheeted his right side.· The driver gave her a curious look then.· I go back past Security and get a slightly curious look myself.· In the evenings, she ate alone and loved it: she felt curious looks coming her way.
· He felt a curious mixture of elation and unease.· What has always separated them from other rock-and-roll bands is a curious mixture of maturity and immaturity.· Her plate held a curious mixture of Spam, jelly, iced buns and lettuce leaves.· The band's room is filled with a curious mixture of people, waiting for something to happen.· The mill still stands and is a curious mixture of brick, elm, slate and corrugated iron.· It was a curious mixture of staid respectability with overtones of holiday fun.· Nizan's political stance at this juncture was a curious mixture of uncompromising denunciation and sweet-talking collaboration.· Naturally the city figures large in this adventure, but one drawn from a curious mixture of references.
· Once again Sabine had the curious sensation that time had stopped and run back.
· It was one of the most curious things I had ever seen.· When George came back he did a curious thing.· But the curious thing was that the idea had somehow and much against his will taken root in his consciousness.· Such a curious thing for an established and respected elderly gentleman to do, now that she came to consider it seriously.· A curious thing has happened here.· The curious thing is why a university made Mr Jeffries head of an academic department in the first place.
· The women who were working there looked at me in a kind curious way at first and then took me for granted.· And the true Jets' fans have curious ways of showing their affection.· In a curious way he would miss Tibbles.· Strangers have a curious way of coming through for other strangers.· They have a curious way of sitting on the back seat, unfamiliar with the correct posture.· Metaphors have a curious way of living beyond the point at which the evidence from which they grew has been discarded.· She had found an explanation of events which satisfied her, an explanation which in a curious way brought her contentment.· Darwin's theory was presented in the Origin in a curious way.
Puppies are naturally curious.curious about He was curious about how she would react.curious to know/see/hear etc Mandy was curious to know what happened.curious look/glance Her shouting attracted some curious glances from other people in the restaurant.2strange or unusual: He felt a curious mixture of excitement and panic. a curious coincidence It’s curious that she left without saying goodbye.► see thesaurus at strange