idle curiosity

USAGE SUMMARY

"idle curiosity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to curiosity that is not necessarily motivated by a desire for knowledge or information, but by a simple desire to know, especially if the knowledge is of no practical use or value. For example: "David's idle curiosity drove him to investigate something that he soon discovered was better left unknown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The gratification of idle curiosity?

The New York Times - Magazine

It was not idle curiosity.

The New York Times

Prosecutors attributed his action to "idle curiosity".

The New York Times

The Nevada board's interest is more than idle curiosity.

The New York Times

But when does scientific imperative shade into idle curiosity — and who gets to decide?

The New York Times

But there is nothing much here beyond idle curiosity and superficial scares.

The New York Times

For him and others, finding the bird is about a lot more than just idle curiosity.

The Guardian

I was not experimenting with hormone levels out of idle curiosity or in some kind of quirky science experiment.

The New York Times

What might have started out as idle curiosity or even schadenfreude eventually turned into reliable affection and fandom.

The New York Times - Arts

Most seemed to have come out of idle curiosity rather than any previous knowledge of the sport.

The New York Times - Magazine

Etymology driven by idle curiosity should be part of a person's education; now back to Schorr's book.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "idle curiosity" to describe an interest in something that is not necessarily important or useful. It often implies a lack of serious intent or practical application.

Common error

Avoid using "idle curiosity" when describing a strong or purposeful interest. "Idle curiosity" suggests a fleeting or superficial interest, not a deep or committed one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "idle curiosity" functions as a noun phrase, where "idle" modifies the noun "curiosity". According to Ludwig, this phrase refers to a curiosity that is not necessarily motivated by a desire for knowledge or information, but by a simple desire to know.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "idle curiosity" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a lack of serious or practical purpose behind one's inquisitiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, primarily in News & Media contexts. While similar phrases like "casual interest" or "aimless inquisitiveness" can be used, "idle curiosity" specifically emphasizes the lack of any pressing need or deeper motivation for the curiosity. Remember to use it when describing fleeting, superficial, or aimless interests, and not when describing genuinely important or deeply rooted interests.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aimless inquisitiveness

Replaces "curiosity" with "inquisitiveness" and "idle" with "aimless", emphasizing the lack of direction.

casual interest

Uses a more general term "interest" instead of "curiosity" and replaces "idle" with "casual", suggesting a less intense form of inquisitiveness.

superficial interest

Similar to casual interest but suggesting less intensity.

pointless investigation

Replaces "curiosity" with "investigation" and "idle" with "pointless", suggesting a lack of purpose in the inquiry.

fruitless inquiry

Similar to pointless investigation but suggesting there are no results.

unproductive fascination

Uses "fascination" instead of "curiosity" and "unproductive" instead of "idle", highlighting the lack of useful outcome.

trivial pursuit of knowledge

Replaces "curiosity" with a more descriptive phrase "pursuit of knowledge" and "idle" with "trivial", emphasizing the lack of importance of the knowledge sought.

academic interest

Interest in a topic for the sake of learning, not necessarily related to anything practical.

disinterested enquiry

Inquiry that is not motivated by personal gain or investment.

shallow interest

Interest that is not deeply rooted or informed.

FAQs

How can "idle curiosity" be used in a sentence?

"Idle curiosity" can be used to describe a casual or aimless interest in something. For instance, "His "idle curiosity" led him to browse through old newspapers at the library".

What's a good substitute for "idle curiosity"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "casual interest", "aimless inquisitiveness", or "superficial interest" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "idle curiosity" the same as being nosy?

While related, they are not identical. "Idle curiosity" implies a lack of purpose, whereas being nosy often involves actively seeking information that is not your business. "Nosy" has a more negative connotation.

When is it appropriate to describe curiosity as "idle"?

It's appropriate when the curiosity is not driven by a specific goal, necessity, or deep interest. It suggests the curiosity is more of a passing fancy or a way to pass the time.