curiosity
UK: ˌkjʊə.riˈɒs.ə.ti | US: ˌkjʊr.iˈɑː.sə.ti
n. a strong desire to know or learn something
n. an unusual or interesting object or fact
curiosity = curi<care> + osity<noun suffix>
- curi (from Latin cura, meaning "care, concern")
- osity (noun-forming suffix, from Latin -ositas, indicating a state or quality)
Etymology Origin:
The word curiosity traces back to Latin cura ("care"), reflecting how curiosity originally meant "careful attention to details." Over time, it evolved to emphasize the desire to know—shifting from passive observation to active inquiry. The suffix -osity (like in generosity) formalizes it as an abstract noun, capturing the state of being curious. This mirrors how Latin-derived terms often layer meanings through affixes.
Her curiosity led her to explore ancient ruins.
The museum displayed odd curiosities from the 18th century.
Children’s curiosity about the world is boundless.
He opened the box out of sheer curiosity.
Scientific discoveries often begin with simple curiosity.