Words / B1

ky-oorr-ee-OS-uh-tee/ˌkjʊəriˈɒsəti/

Curiosity is a strong wish to know (often uncountable). Curious is the adjective (already in the dictionary). Interest is a close twin; nosiness is critical. Confidential files: curiosity is not a reason to open them.

Meaning

A strong wish to know or learn (often uncountable).

Examples

• “Curiosity is not a reason to open confidential files.”
• “Intellectual curiosity is praised in a personal statement; idle curiosity is not an FOI ground.”

Good to know

Often uncountable. Adjective: curious. Close: interest. GDPR / study. A curiosity can mean a strange object (rarer in B1 news).

Near in meaning

interest

New