What does incurious mean?
Incurious is a formal adjective meaning not curious, inquisitive, or interested in learning or finding out more. It describes someone who shows little inclination to ask questions, investigate a subject, or respond to what is happening around them. The word can be neutral, suggesting a reserved or detached manner, but it often carries a faintly critical or disapproving implication, as though the person is uninvolved or insufficiently attentive. Incurious is most often applied to people, attitudes, expressions, or reactions: an incurious glance, for example, suggests a gaze that takes in an object without showing much interest. Although the word may resemble incurable in sound, its meaning is entirely different: incurable describes something that cannot be cured or prevented, while incurious describes a lack of curiosity. Incurious is a precise choice when the absence of interest itself is significant, rather than merely noting that a subject is uninteresting.
adjectiveNot curious or interested; showing little desire to know or learn about something. It can suggest indifference, apathy, or an unwillingness to investigate.
- Not curious or inclined to inquire; showing little interest or concern.
"His incurious response made it clear that he had no intention of joining the discussion."
"The incurious child stared at the unfamiliar bird without asking a single question."
"Rather than accuse the witness of being incurious, the interviewer tried to offer a clearer explanation."
Incurious comes from the Latin incuriosus, literally “not caring to know”: curiosity turned into its quiet opposite.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does incurious come from?
Incurious comes from Latin incuriosus, formed from in-, meaning “not,” and curiosus, meaning “careful” or “inquisitive.” It entered English in the early 17th century, initially in the sense of inattentive or negligent and later acquiring the more specific sense of lacking curiosity. It is a cognate of curious, curiosity, and curiously, all of which share the Latin root associated with care, attention, and inquiry.
Related word forms
How incurious is actually used
Incurious is formal and relatively uncommon. It is more often used to describe a person, attitude, or response than a physical setting, and it can suggest either calm detachment or a lack of intellectual curiosity.
Easily confused with incurious
Incurable means unable to be cured or prevented, whereas incurious means showing a lack of curiosity or interest.