French word

curieux

Pronunciation

IPA/kyʁjø/

Meaning

  • adjectivecurious

Example

Les enfants sont curieux.

The children are curious.

Illustration for curieux (curious)

More examples

Je suis curieux de savoir ce qui va se passer.

I am curious to know what will happen.

Core concept

A person whose attention keeps turning toward unfamiliar things, prompting questions or close examination.

Common phrases

  • curieux de savoir

    curious to know

  • regard curieux

    curious look

  • esprit curieux

    curious mind

Similar words

intéressé: Interested in a subject and wishing to gain more knowledge about it.
intrigué: Intrigued by something unusual or mysterious and wanting to find out more.
fasciné: Strongly attracted to something and focused on it with intense interest.

Definition in French

Qui montre une tendance à poser des questions ou à examiner les choses par curiosité intellectuelle.

Word origin

French curieux comes through Old French from Latin curiosus, formed from cura, meaning care or attention, and originally linked careful investigation with curiosity.

Usage tips

  • The pattern curieux de + infinitive commonly expresses being curious to do or know something, as in curieux de savoir la réponse.

Other meanings

  • strangeadjective
  • busybodynoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word