Definition of CURIOSITY

archaic : undue nicety or fastidiousness

Her natural curiosity led her to ask more questions. The arrival of a construction crew at their house attracted the curiosity of their neighbors. The movie failed to satisfy her curiosity about the assassination. Tobacco was once a curiosity in Europe. The antique shop was full of curiosities.

Recent Examples on the Web Instead, their behavior seemed dominated by an attitude of curiosity. —Susana Monsó, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024 For researchers, the Lake Michigan craters are more than just curiosities. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Oct. 2024 Space aficionados often compare the drive to explore other worlds to the impulse that sent humans on voyages around the world, depicting our forebears’ curiosity about our own planet as an innate imperative curiosity that defines us as an alpha species. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024 His insatiable curiosity and boundless creativity continue to inspire us today. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for curiosity 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘curiosity.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of curiosity was in the 14th century