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curious

adj.
US //ˈkjʊɹiəs// UK //kjˈʊɹɪəs// cu·ri·ous
  1. 1 wanting to know (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    wanting to know or learn about something.

    eager to know or learn something; possessing a desire for investigation or information.

    Example

    The curious child asked her teacher why the sky was blue.

    Example

    The researchers remained curious about the long-term effects of the treatment, leading them to extend the study for another five years.

    Usage

    often followed by the preposition 'about' or an infinitive verb.

    Teacher's tip

    While usually positive, it can occasionally imply being 'nosy' if the person is asking too many personal questions.
  2. 2 strange or unusual (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    strange, unusual, or unexpected.

    arousing interest by being unusual, strange, or unexpected.

    Example

    It was curious that the front door was open when I arrived home.

    Example

    The detective found it curious that the witness remembered the exact time of the event but could not describe the suspect's clothing.

    Usage

    often used in the phrase 'it is curious that...'

    Teacher's tip

    In this sense, the word describes the object or situation, not the person observing it.
Etymology 1

From Middle English curious, from Old French curius, from Latin cūriōsus. The English word is cognate with Italian curioso, Occitan curios, Portuguese curioso, and Spanish curioso.

Etymology 2

From curi(um) + -ous.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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