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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Curious: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：eager to learn (curious)

curious 🔊

/ˈkjʊəriəs/

adj.

Eager to know or learn something, showing interest.

eager to learn 🔊

➕

/ˈiːɡər tuː lɜːrn/

adj.

Describes a strong desire to learn, know, or find out about something.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'cura' (care) + suffix '-ous' (full of). Literally 'full of care'.

💡 Mnemonic

Curious cats curiously explore.

📖 Example

The little girl was so curious about her birthday present that she shook the box gently to guess what was inside. 🔊 The little girl was so eager to learn about her birthday present that she shook the box gently to guess what was inside.

🔗 Collocations

curious about – having a desire to know more about something

curious mind – a mind that is eager to learn and discover

naturally curious – having curiosity as an inherent character trait

🔄 Synonyms

inquisitive (adj.) – tending to ask many questions or investigate thoroughly

interested (adj.) – showing attention or concern about something

inquiring (adj.) – seeking information or knowledge

🚫 Antonyms

indifferent (adj.) – having no interest or concern

uninterested (adj.) – not interested in or concerned about something

apathetic (adj.) – showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern

🌱 Derivatives

curiosity (n.) – a strong desire to know or learn something

curiously (adv.) – in a curious manner

📖 Cultural Story

Etymology: From Latin 'curiosus' ('careful, diligent, inquisitive'), from 'cura' ('care'). Entered Middle English via Old French. The sense evolved from 'made carefully' to 'eager to know'.

Meaning 2：odd or unusual (curious)

curious 🔊

/ˈkjʊəriəs/

adj.

Unusual or unexpected in a way that makes you want to know more.

Curious odd antique clock, showing unusual or strange meaning

odd or unusual 🔊

➕

/ɒd ɔːr ʌnˈjuːʒuəl/

adj.

Describes something that is strange, unexpected, or puzzling, arousing interest because of its peculiarity.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

In the old antique shop, we found a curious metal device with many moving parts, but no one knew its original purpose. 🔊 In the old antique shop, we found an odd or unusual metal device with many moving parts, but no one knew its original purpose.

🔗 Collocations

curious object – an unusual or strange item

curious coincidence – an unexpected and strange occurrence of events

curious fact – a strange or little-known piece of information

🔄 Synonyms

peculiar (adj.) – strange or odd; unusual

odd (adj.) – different from what is usual or expected; strange

unusual (adj.) – not habitually or commonly occurring or done

🚫 Antonyms

ordinary (adj.) – with no special or distinctive features; normal

commonplace (adj.) – not unusual; ordinary