curious
gb/kjˈʊɹiəs/ us/kjˈʊɹiəs/
B1
English
~ 7100
kíváncsi, kíváncsiskodó, tolakodóan kíváncsi, különös, furcsa
B1
1
kíváncsi
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is curious about [something]
She has always been curious about how machines work.
Mindig is kíváncsi volt arra, hogyan működnek a gépek.
I'm curious to know what you thought of the movie.
Kíváncsi vagyok, mit gondoltál a filmről.
The students were curious about life in other countries.
He grew more and more curious as she told her story.
As a child, I was curious about everything around me.
Learner examples
The boy is very curious about animals.
A fiú nagyon kíváncsi az állatokra.
I am curious to see what happens next.
Kíváncsi vagyok, mi történik ezután.
She is curious about your home country.
My little sister is curious about everything I do.
They are curious to know why you left early.
Common mistake:
Learners often say *curious of* or *curious on* instead of *curious about* (e.g. say "I am curious about your job," not "curious of your job"). They may also confuse "curious" with "interested" and overuse "curious" in formal writing; in many formal contexts, "interested" is more natural.
Meaning
eager to know or learn
Collocations
curious about
|curious to know
|curious to see
|naturally curious
|a curious child
|curious mind
Synonyms
inquisitive (Often suggests asking many questions and strongly wanting to learn; slightly more formal than "curious".)
|
interested (More general and neutral; does not always include a strong desire to find out more, as "curious" does.)
Antonyms
uninterested (Shows no desire to know more, the opposite of being curious.)
|
indifferent (Cares very little and does not want to find out more.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Wanting to know or learn more about something because it is interesting to you.
Wanting to know or learn more about things, especially because you are interested in them.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is curious about [someone else's private life]
I don't want to seem curious, but why did you two break up?
Nem akarok kíváncsiskodónak tűnni, de miért szakítottatok?
The neighbors are far too curious about what goes on in this house.
A szomszédok túlságosan kíváncsiskodnak afelől, hogy mi folyik ebben a házban.
Stop being so curious about her salary; it's none of your business.
He gave her a curious look, as if searching for a secret she was hiding.
People can be curious when they see police outside a house.
Learner examples
My aunt is very curious about my love life, and it makes me uncomfortable.
A nagynéném nagyon kíváncsiskodik a szerelmi életem felől, és ettől kényelmetlenül érzem magam.
Do not be so curious about how much money he makes.
Ne kíváncsiskodj annyira afelől, hogy mennyit keres.
I did not answer his curious questions about my health.
She does not like curious people asking about her age.
The kids were curious about the new teacher’s private life.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes do not realize this sense can sound negative. Saying "I am curious about you" to a new acquaintance may sound too personal or intrusive; it is often better to say "I’d like to know more about you" or ask a specific, polite question.
Meaning
too interested in others' business
Collocations
too curious
|overly curious
|curious neighbors
|curious strangers
|a curious question
Synonyms
nosy (Clearly negative and informal; strongly suggests rude interest in private matters.)
|
prying (Shows unwanted, often secret attempts to find private information.)
Antonyms
discreet (Careful not to ask or share private information; the opposite of being rudely curious.)
|
respectful (Shows respect for other people’s privacy instead of asking curious questions.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Wanting to know private things about other people, in a way that is not polite.
Too interested in other people’s private lives or personal information, in a way that may be annoying or impolite.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
a curious [thing/situation/fact]
It’s a curious fact that the two brothers were born on the same day five years apart.
Különös tény, hogy a két fivér ugyanazon a napon született, öt év különbséggel.
She noticed a curious smell coming from the kitchen.
Furcsa szagot érzett a konyha felől.
In a curious twist, the company grew during the crisis instead of shrinking.
The book has a curious mixture of humor and sadness.
There was something curious about the way he smiled at me.
Learner examples
There is a curious noise coming from the engine.
Furcsa zaj hallatszik a motorból.
That is a curious story; I have never heard anything like it.
Ez egy különös történet; még soha nem hallottam ehhez foghatót.
He gave me a curious look that I did not understand.
This town has a curious mix of old and new buildings.
It is a curious fact that they never speak to each other.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with the "interested" sense and say things like *"I am curious today"* when they only mean *"I am interested"* or *"I want to know"*. Also, using "curious" for people in this sense ("a curious man" meaning strange) can be unclear, because it usually means he wants to know a lot.
Meaning
strange or unusual
Collocations
curious fact
|curious thing
|curious feeling
|curious coincidence
|curious mixture
|curious case
Synonyms
strange (Very common general word for not normal; does not always suggest interest, while "curious" often does.)
|
odd (Informal word for slightly strange; very close in meaning but can sound more casual than "curious".)
Antonyms
ordinary (Normal and not special, the opposite of "curious" in this sense.)
|
normal (As expected or usual; contrasts with the unusual nature of something curious.)
Themes
description
|thinking
|news
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Strange or unusual, so that it makes you think and want to understand it.
Unusual or strange in a way that attracts interest or makes you want to understand it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
curious
IPA
GB/kjˈʊɹiəs/
US/kjˈʊɹiəs/
Syllables & stress
curi - ous (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (curi)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: curious
Word family
Expressions
curious about
1/kjˈʊɹiəs əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
interested in learning about
Used to say that you want to know more about something.
Examples
- I’m really curious about your trip to Japan.
- Children are usually curious about where babies come from.
- She’s curious about how the new system will work.
curious mind
1/kjˈʊɹiəs mˈaɪnd/
fixed phrase
person who loves to learn
A way to describe someone who likes to ask questions and learn about many things.
Examples
- Teachers should encourage a curious mind in every student.
- Her curious mind led her to study many different subjects.
- A curious mind never stops asking why.
curious to know
1/kjˈʊɹiəs tə nˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
wanting to find out something
Used before a clause to show you strongly want to find out some information.
Examples
- I’m curious to know what he will say about the problem.
- We’re curious to know whether the project will be approved.
- She was curious to know why they had moved away.
curious to see
1/kjˈʊɹiəs tə sˈi/
fixed phrase
eager to see the result
Used to say you strongly want to see what happens or what something looks like.
Examples
- I’m curious to see how the story ends.
- They are curious to see the new office after the renovation.
- I’m curious to see whether our plan actually works.
just curious
1/d͡ʒˈʌst kjˈʊɹiəs/
fixed phrase
informal
asking without strong reason
Said when you ask a question only because you want to know, not for an important reason.
Examples
- Why did you choose that color, if you don’t mind me asking—just curious.
- I’m not judging you, I’m just curious.
- I was just curious, so I checked the price online.