curious
- Eager to learn about or know something.
- Strange or unusual in a way that catches your attention.
In a sentence
- The curious puppy sniffed every corner of the new house.
- Scientists are curious about what lies beneath the surface of distant planets.
Usage note. 'Curious' is often followed by 'about' (curious about history) or 'to' plus a verb (curious to find out); avoid using it as a direct synonym for 'weird' in formal writing.
Where it comes from
English curious · entered English 14th c.
From Latin 'curiosus,' meaning 'careful' or 'eager to know,' derived from 'cura,' meaning 'care.' The word passed through Old French before entering English in the 14th century. Its meaning shifted over time from 'careful' toward 'inquisitive.'