English Reference
Adverb

curiously

adv. manner
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈkjʊɹiəsɫi/ UK /kjˈʊɹɪəsli/ cu·ri·ous·ly

adv.in a way that shows you are interested in something and want to learn more. It can also mean that something is strange or unusual.

adv.in a manner that demonstrates inquisitiveness or interest; alternatively, used to indicate that a situation is strange or unexpected.


SIMPLE

The cat looked curiously at the moving shadow.

CONTEXTUAL

Curiously, the front door was unlocked even though the family had been away for a week.

COMPLEX

The researchers looked curiously at the data, noting that the results contradicted every hypothesis they had formulated during the initial planning phase.

Usage

When used to mean 'strangely', it often functions as a sentence adverb at the start of a clause.

He cites the painting Tarini , “in which it has been suggested an enveloping sari assumes the form of India (though curiously an India without Bengal).

JSTOR Daily· 3 Sept 2026

From Middle English curiusly, curyously, curiosly, curiouseliche, curyouslyche, equivalent to curious + -ly.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English curiusly
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated