curiosity

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun

Inquisitiveness; the tendency to ask and learn about things by asking questions, investigating, or exploring.
A unique or extraordinary object which arouses interest.
Careful, delicate construction; fine workmanship, delicacy of building.

Pronunciation

kyo͝or'ēŏsʹətē kyôr'ēŏsʹətē /ˌkjʊə.ɹiˈɒs.ə.ti/ /ˌkjɔːɹiˈɒs.ə.ti/ /-ɪ.ti/ kyûr'ēŏsʹətē /ˌkjʊɹ.iˈɑ.sə.ti/ /ˌkjɝ.iˈɑ.sə.ti/ kyo͝o'rŏsʹətē kyô'rŏsʹətē kyû'rŏsʹətē /ˌkjʊəˈɹɒsəti/ /ˌkjɔːˈɹɒsəti/ /ˌkjɝˈɒsəti/ En-us-curiosity.ogg

Word forms

curiosity curiosities

Etymology

From Middle English curiosite, variant of curiouste, from Anglo-Norman curiouseté, from Latin cūriōsitātem, accusative of cūriōsitās. By surface analysis, curious + -ity. Displaced native Old English firwitt.

Synonyms

inquisitiveness

Antonyms

ignorance

Related words

curious

Derived words

bi-curiosity curio curiosity killed the cat public curiosity uncuriosity

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