What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prying
Example
She was prying into my personal life, asking too many questions. [prying: verb]
Example
The neighbor was being prying, looking through my window. [prying: adjective]
curious
Example
I am curious about the culture and traditions of this country. [curious: adjective]
Example
She was curious about the book I was reading and asked me about it. [curious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Curious is more commonly used than prying in everyday language. Curious is a common word that can be used in various contexts, while prying is less common and often used in negative situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prying and curious?
Both prying and curious can be used in formal and informal contexts, but prying is more likely to be used in informal or negative situations, while curious is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts.