curiosity
gb/kjˌʊɹiˈɑsəti/ us/kjˌʊɹiˈɑsəti/
B1
English
~ 2000
kíváncsiság, különlegesség, kuriózum, érdekesség
NOUN
B1
1
kíváncsiság
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s curiosity about [something]
Her curiosity about other cultures led her to travel the world.
A más kultúrák iránti kíváncsisága arra ösztönözte, hogy beutazza a világot.
The strange noise in the attic sparked his curiosity.
A padláson hallatszó furcsa zaj felkeltette a kíváncsiságát.
Out of curiosity, she opened the old box.
Children's natural curiosity helps them learn quickly.
His curiosity about science inspired him to become a researcher.
Learner examples
I have a curiosity about animals.
Kíváncsi vagyok az állatokra.
His curiosity made him open the door.
A kíváncsisága rávette, hogy kinyissa az ajtót.
She asked the question out of curiosity.
Curiosity can help you learn new things.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'curiosity' with 'curiousness'. While both are correct, 'curiosity' is far more common in everyday English.
Meaning
desire to know or learn
Collocations
natural curiosity
|spark curiosity
|arouse curiosity
|satisfy curiosity
|out of curiosity
Synonyms
inquisitiveness (Slightly more formal and suggests an active tendency to ask questions.)
Antonyms
indifference (Lack of interest or concern about something.)
Themes
emotions
|learning
|psychology
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The feeling of wanting to know more about something.
A strong interest in knowing about something or wanting to learn more.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a curiosity from [place/time]
The museum displayed curiosities from ancient Egypt.
A múzeum ókori Egyiptomból származó különlegességeket állított ki.
This old coin is a real curiosity.
Ez a régi érme igazi különlegesség.
He collected curiosities from his travels abroad.
Learner examples
This shell is a curiosity from the beach.
Ez a kagyló egy különlegesség a partról.
We saw many curiosities in the market.
Sok érdekességet láttunk a piacon.
That old photo is a curiosity.
Meaning
unusual or interesting thing
Collocations
historical curiosity
|odd curiosity
|tourist curiosity
Synonyms
novelty (Focuses more on newness rather than rarity or peculiarity.)
Antonyms
commonplace (Something ordinary and not unusual.)
Themes
culture
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something strange or rare that makes people interested.
An unusual or interesting object, fact, or piece of information that attracts attention.
Grammar
Dictionary form
curiosity
IPA
GB/kjˌʊɹiˈɑsəti/
US/kjˌʊɹiˈɑsəti/
Syllables & stress
curi - os - ity (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ity)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: curiosity
- Plural: curiosities, curiosity
Word family
Expressions
out of curiosity
1/ˈaʊt əv kjˌʊɹiˈɑsəti/
fixed phrase
because you want to know
Used when you do something only because you want to know the answer or result.
Examples
- I only asked out of curiosity.
- Out of curiosity, what time does the train leave?
curiosity killed the cat
1/kjˌʊɹiˈɑsəti kˈɪld ðə kˈæt/
idiom
informal
warning against being too curious
Used to warn someone that asking too many questions or being too interested could cause problems.
Examples
- Don't ask too many questions—curiosity killed the cat.
- Be careful asking about his past—curiosity killed the cat.
- He kept digging into their private affairs, but curiosity killed the cat.
- I know you want to look, but remember, curiosity killed the cat.