Another Word for Curious: 13 Synonyms with Examples
“Curious” can mean eager to know, or strange. Synonyms help separate the two senses.
As an adjective: eager to know or learn
- inquisitive
- interested
- questioning
- inquiring
- intrigued
- nosy
As an adjective: strange or unusual
- strange
- odd
- peculiar
- unusual
- bizarre
- mysterious
- puzzling
Need a different word?Look up any word in the synonym finder →
How they differ
Synonyms share a meaning, not always a tone. Here is when to pick each of the main options.
- inquisitive
- Eager to learn; can tip into prying.
- inquiring
- Thoughtful curiosity: “an inquiring mind”.
- intrigued
- Curious because something is unusual.
- nosy
- Informal and critical: too interested in other people's business.
- peculiar
- Strange, sometimes in an unsettling way.
Example sentences
- inquisitive: Inquisitive children ask hundreds of questions a day.
- inquiring: The course suits students with inquiring minds.
- intrigued: I was intrigued by her unusual accent.
- nosy: Our nosy neighbour watches everyone who visits.
- peculiar: There was something peculiar about the letter.
Opposite of curious
- uninterested
- incurious
- indifferent
- ordinary
More from WordNet
Less common or more specialised words WordNet lists for other senses of “curious”. Check the meaning before you use one.
adjective: funny, queer, rum, rummy, singular
WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Used under the WordNet licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is another word for “curious”?
The most useful alternatives are “inquisitive”, “interested”, “questioning”, “inquiring”, “intrigued”. For the main sense (eager to know or learn), “inquisitive” is usually the closest swap.
What is the difference between “inquisitive” and “inquiring”?
inquisitive: Eager to learn; can tip into prying. inquiring: Thoughtful curiosity: “an inquiring mind”.
What is the opposite of “curious”?
Common antonyms are “uninterested”, “incurious”, “indifferent”, “ordinary”.