# curious

/ˈkjʊɹiəs/ (US) · /kjˈʊɹɪəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/curious
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. wanting to know

adjective · CEFR B1

wanting to know or learn about something.

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

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

Teaching tip: While usually positive, it can occasionally imply being 'nosy' if the person is asking too many personal questions.

### 2. strange or unusual

adjective · CEFR B2

strange, unusual, or unexpected.

For teachers: arousing interest by being unusual, strange, or unexpected.

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

Teaching tip: In this sense, the word describes the object or situation, not the person observing it.

## Examples

- The curious child asked many questions about the stars.
- Researchers are curious to see how the new policy will affect local businesses over the next year.
- It was a curious coincidence that both sisters arrived at the party wearing identical vintage dresses they had purchased in different cities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.