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Definition of curio

curio

/ˈkjʊr.i.oʊ/
cu · ri · o
Plural:curios
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curio Lexical Profile

curio Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A rare, unusual, or intriguing object valued as a collectible or ornament.

Example

"The antique shop's shelves were crowded with carved ivory figurines, old compasses, and other fascinating curios."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for curio

• Nearby Words

curdle
cure
curfew
curio
curiosity
curious
curiously

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-19th century as a shortened form of 'curiosity', ultimately from Latin 'curiositas' (eagerness for knowledge), derived from 'cura' (care, attention).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Curio. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/curio
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