curio

noun

cu·​rio ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌō 

ˈkyər-

plural curios

: something (such as a decorative object) considered novel, rare, or bizarre : curiosity

also : an unusual or bizarre person

Synonyms of curio

• ornamental
• souvenir
• novelty
• knickknack

Examples of curio in a Sentence

She loves to browse the shops in small towns, looking for curios.

be careful of the fragile curios on the end tables

Recent Examples on the Web

So while remixing one’s own work of the past may be a cool curio for serious fans, collaboration among genre titans and newcomers could be the real key to getting rap back in the conversation and on the charts. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026

France's passion for paintings, sculptures, ancient artifacts and other valuables and curios is a source of national pride and identity. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026

If anything, they were perhaps afforded slightly more tolerance because they were seen as a curio. — Maggie McGowan, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026

The Commonwealths is a multi-sport competition held every four years between member states of the Commonwealth of Nations and their territories, and has become more of a sporting curio in recent iterations, ranking well below the Olympics. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

short for curiosity

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

curio

noun

cu·​rio ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌō 

plural curios

: an object or article valued because it is strange or rare