curiosity

 
Pronunciation: /kjʊərɪˈɒsɪti/

noun (plural curiosities)

  • 1 [mass noun] a strong desire to know or learn something: filled with curiosity, she peered through the window curiosity got the better of me, so I called him
  • 2an unusual or interesting object or fact: he showed them some of the curiosities of the house

Phrases

curiosity killed the cat

proverb being inquisitive about other people’s affairs may get you into trouble.

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French curiousete, from Latin curiositas, from curiosus (see curious)

Spelling help

Spell curiosity with -os- in the middle.