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curiosité

curiosity

noun koo-ree-oh-zee-TEH Less Common

Origin: Latin curiositas (desire to know)

Also means

oddity, curio

Usage Note

curiosité can mean an inquisitive quality (la curiosité intellectuelle) or a strange/remarkable object (une curiosité locale = a local oddity). The proverb la curiosité est un vilain défaut ('curiosity is a nasty flaw') is well-known in French culture even if honored in the breach. The adjective is curieux (m) / curieuse (f).

Examples

"Sa curiosité l'a poussé à tout lire."

Natural Translation

His curiosity pushed him to read everything.

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