excessively curious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessively curious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has an overwhelming or extreme level of curiosity about something. Example: "Her excessively curious nature often led her to ask questions that made others uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the early nineteen-nineties, when I first started visiting Grand Staircase-Escalante, it was known only to ranchers and excessively curious backpackers; now it is a busier place, with champions throughout the West and beyond.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"So not excessively excessive.

The New York Times

Everyone excessively tidy, excessively generous.

The New Yorker

"I was excessively disciplined.

The New York Times - Magazine

Silly, excessively sober me.

The New York Times - Food

These have targeted excessively visible crucifixes, then overly prominent minarets in Switzerland; there have been complaints against "offensive" religious garb in Holland and England, and now, a series of curious decisions involving the removal of Christmas trees in the United States and Canada.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He was excessively lustful.

The New York Times - Books

"Like" is "used excessively".

The Guardian - Opinion

Being excessively nervous is.

The Guardian

Probably excessively so.

The New York Times - Magazine

Perhaps excessively so.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "excessively curious" to subtly critique a character's nosiness or to add humor to a situation. It implies a level of curiosity that goes beyond normal interest.

Common error

Avoid using "excessively curious" when "curious" alone suffices. The adverb should only be added when you specifically want to emphasize the degree of curiosity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessively curious" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe the degree of curiosity. It indicates that someone's inquisitiveness goes beyond what is considered normal or appropriate. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessively curious" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a degree of curiosity that goes beyond the ordinary. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s correct and usable in written English. Though relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts and carries a slightly critical or humorous connotation, implying that the curiosity might be nosy or inappropriate. When using this phrase, consider whether the emphasis on the degree of curiosity is necessary, and be mindful of the subtle nuance it adds to the description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overly inquisitive

Replaces "excessively" with "overly", focusing on the abundance of inquisitiveness.

unduly curious

Uses "unduly" instead of "excessively", implying the curiosity is inappropriate or unwarranted.

inordinately interested

Shifts from curiosity to interest, using "inordinately" to indicate excess.

intensely inquisitive

Replaces "excessively" with "intensely" highlighting a strong level of inquisitiveness.

remarkably curious

Uses "remarkably" to describe the curiosity as being worthy of notice due to its extent.

exceptionally inquisitive

Emphasizes the curiosity by using "exceptionally" to indicate it goes beyond the norm.

singularly curious

Describes curiosity as being unique or peculiar in its excessiveness.

immoderately curious

Focuses on the lack of moderation in curiosity, highlighting its unbridled nature.

unusually inquisitive

Indicates the level of inquisitiveness is not typical or common.

over the top curious

Uses an informal expression to convey the curiosity is exaggerated or excessive.

FAQs

How can I use "excessively curious" in a sentence?

You can use "excessively curious" to describe someone whose curiosity is beyond the norm. For example: "Her excessively curious nature often led her into trouble."

What are some alternatives to "excessively curious"?

Alternatives include "overly inquisitive", "unduly curious", or "inordinately interested". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "excessively curious" the same as "very curious"?

While both describe a high degree of curiosity, "excessively curious" implies that the curiosity is perhaps too much, nosy, or inappropriate, whereas "very curious" is a more neutral expression.

When should I use "excessively curious" instead of "simply curious"?

Use "excessively curious" when you want to highlight that the curiosity is beyond what is expected or considered acceptable in a given situation. "Simply curious" is more neutral and doesn't carry this connotation.