See curious in American Heritage Dictionary 4 Synonyms
curious inquisitive snoopy nosy
These adjectives apply to persons who show a marked desire for information or knowledge. Curious most often implies an avid desire to know or learn, though it can suggest prying: A curious child is a teacher's delight. A curious neighbor can be a nuisance.
Inquisitive frequently suggests excessive curiosity and the asking of many questions: “Remember, no revolvers. The police are, I believe, proverbially inquisitive” (Lord Dunsany).
Snoopy suggests underhanded prying: The snoopy hotel detective spied on guests in the lobby.
Nosy implies impertinent curiosity likened to that of an animal using its nose to examine or probe: My nosy colleague went through my mail.
See Also Synonyms at
strange.
See curious in Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus II
adjective
Eager to acquire knowledge:
inquiring, inquisitive, investigative, questioning. See investigateUnduly interested in the affairs of others:
inquisitive, inquisitorial. (Informal) nosy, snoopy. See investigateCausing puzzlement; perplexing:
funny, odd, peculiar, queer, strange, weird. See usualDeviating from the customary:
bizarre, cranky, eccentric, erratic, freakish, idiosyncratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, queer, quirky, singular, strange, unnatural, unusual, weird. (Slang) kooky, screwball. (British Slang) rum, rummy2. See usual
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