Meaning & use
curious
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Eager to learn about something or understand how it works.
Grammar: Can be before a noun or after feel, be, or seem; commonly followed by about or an infinitive.
Patterns
- curious about something
- curious to know
- curious to see
- curious child
The child was curious about how bees make honey.
I was curious to know why the door was open.
A curious student asks questions beyond the assignment.
adjectivebefore a noun
Unusual or strange in a way that makes people notice or ask questions.
Grammar: Most often comes before a noun in this sense, as in a curious coincidence; not usually used after be.
Patterns
- curious coincidence
- curious mixture
- curious fact
They met again by a curious coincidence.
The sauce had a curious sweet and smoky flavor.
A curious silence fell over the room.
Word forms
| comparative | more curious |
|---|---|
| superlative | most curious |
Common combinations
- curious about something
- She is curious about local history.
- curious to know
- We were curious to know the final score.
- curious coincidence
- It was a curious coincidence that both applied for the same job.
- naturally curious
- Dogs are naturally curious animals.
Synonyms and how they differ
- inquisitive
- Suggests asking many questions; curious is broader and can be quiet interest.
- nosy
- Informal and disapproving for unwanted interest in private matters.
- odd
- Means strange; use it for the second sense, not for wanting to learn.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: curious or cautious?
curious vs cautious
Cautious means careful about risk; curious means eager to know or, in another sense, strange.
Practice
The kids were curious ___ open the old chest.
Choose one answer.
Curious is followed by an infinitive here: curious to open. About is tempting but needs a noun or -ing form, such as curious about the chest.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “curious”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.