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
3
a
: one that arouses interest especially for uncommon or exotic characteristics
Tobacco was once regarded as a curiosity in Europe.
b
: an unusual knickknack : curio
The antique shop was full of curiosities.
c
: a curious trait or aspect
Synonyms
- curiousness
- inquisitiveness
- nosiness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 In America a uniformed soldier among civilians is a curiosity, and a young man with a semiautomatic weapon is not a welcome sight. 
George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2022 Two of the most important qualities to have to manage risk are intellectual curiosity and problem solving. Richard Vanderford, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 This was no passing curiosity; Parks organized Kickstarter fund-raisers and recruited friends to help film her interviews. Lauren Leblanc, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 In essence, The Meta Store is more of a B2B metaverse showroom than a store for consumers, though undoubtedly, early-adopting, curiosity-seekers will be drawn to it. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 1 May 2022 Playing with my hair color has been a longtime curiosity of mine. Gabe Bergado, Allure, 11 Aug. 2022 Such was the curiosity about this venture that in addition to the Chicago Tribune and other Chicago outlets, representatives were in attendance from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, New York Post and others. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2022 For years, most of the funds stayed in those digital wallets, more or less untouched, even as Bitcoin went from being a nerdy curiosity to fueling a global mania that pushed its price up more than 100-fold. Declan Harty, Fortune, 7 July 2022 Vivvi is not only focused on flexibility, but on quality, fostering the joy of learning through play and themes inspired by children’s curiosity. Isabelle Hau, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 See More
George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2022 Two of the most important qualities to have to manage risk are intellectual curiosity and problem solving. Richard Vanderford, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 This was no passing curiosity; Parks organized Kickstarter fund-raisers and recruited friends to help film her interviews. Lauren Leblanc, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 In essence, The Meta Store is more of a B2B metaverse showroom than a store for consumers, though undoubtedly, early-adopting, curiosity-seekers will be drawn to it. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 1 May 2022 Playing with my hair color has been a longtime curiosity of mine. Gabe Bergado, Allure, 11 Aug. 2022 Such was the curiosity about this venture that in addition to the Chicago Tribune and other Chicago outlets, representatives were in attendance from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, New York Post and others. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2022 For years, most of the funds stayed in those digital wallets, more or less untouched, even as Bitcoin went from being a nerdy curiosity to fueling a global mania that pushed its price up more than 100-fold. Declan Harty, Fortune, 7 July 2022 Vivvi is not only focused on flexibility, but on quality, fostering the joy of learning through play and themes inspired by children’s curiosity. Isabelle Hau, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see curious
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
curiosity
noun
cu·ri·os·i·ty ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-sə-tē
plural curiosities
1
: an eager desire to learn and often to learn things that are another's concern
"What's happening?" he asked with curiosity.
2
: something strange or unusual
They both sat looking at Harriet as though she were a curiosity put on television to entertain them. Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy
Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy3
: an object or article valued because it is strange or rare
curiosities
noun
1
as in rarities
something strange or unusual that is an object of interest the museum's curiosities include items constructed entirely out of toothpicks Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- rarities
- wonders
- curios
- exotics
- oddities
- marvels
- objets
- oddments
- virtus
- monsters
- abnormalities
- mutants
- ephemera
- mutations
- anomalies
- prodigies
- objets d'art
- found objects
- objets trouvés
- freaks
- rare birds
- ephemeras
- ephemerae
- malformations
- monstrosities
- rarae aves
- vertus
- rara avises
2
as in novelties
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest an assortment of curiosities from around the world that the family picked up during various vacations Synonyms & Similar Words
- novelties
- ornamentals
- curios
- souvenirs
- knickknacks
- ornaments
- trinkets
- gewgaws
- collectibles
- bibelots
- gimcracks
- gauds
- tchotchkes
- nicknacks
- baubles
- collectables
- geegaws
- doodads
- trifles
- kickshaws
- figurines
- keepsakes
- trumperies
- mementos
- bagatelles
- bric-a-brac
- objets
- virtus
- mementoes
- gimcrackeries
- conversation pieces
- vertus
- bijouteries
- trinketries
- objets d'art
- collector's items
3
as in tricks
an odd or peculiar habit Charles Dickens typically endowed his characters with an array of endearing curiosities Synonyms & Similar Words
- tricks
- characteristics
- traits
- eccentricities
- quirks
- oddities
- idiosyncrasies
- mannerisms
- habits
- peculiarities
- singularities
- tics
- quiddities
- quips
- twists
- crotchets
- kinks
- attributes
- affectations
- individualisms
- erraticisms
- tendencies
- attitudes
- customs
- personalities
- practices
- properties
- patterns
- characters
- perversions
- airs
- predilections
- abnormalities
- addictions
- proclivities
- inclinations
- ways
- penchants
- predispositions
- partialities
- humors
- identities
- leanings
- wonts
- propensities
- bents
- temperaments
- dispositions
- individualities
- neuroticisms
- practises
- geniuses
- natures
- marks
- genii
- turns
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- conformities