curie

Everyday

1. (a name) Marie Curie was a scientist born in Poland who worked in France; she discovered the elements radium and polonium, studied radioactivity, and was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first person to win two in different sciences. Pierre Curie was her husband and work partner. tree →
2. A curie is an old unit for measuring radioactivity, named after the Curies. tree →

In the lessons

In science and history lessons about famous scientists and women in science, Marie Curie is a role model who worked very hard when women were not welcome in science. She did not know how dangerous radioactivity was, and she became ill from it; her notebooks are still radioactive. In the UK, Marie Curie is also the name of a charity that cares for people who are dying. Phrases: Marie Curie, the Curies, Marie Curie nurses.

Examples

• Marie Curie won two Nobel Prizes. tree →
• Marie and Pierre Curie discovered radium. tree →
• Marie Curie studied radioactivity. tree →
• Her notebooks are still radioactive and are kept in lead boxes. tree →
• Marie Curie was born in Poland. tree →
• The Marie Curie charity helps people at the end of their lives. tree →
• Radioactivity can be measured in curies. tree →
• We dressed up as Marie Curie for our science day. tree →

Note

As a name: capital C, Curie; pronounced «KYOOR-ee». As a unit: small c, symbol Ci; today scientists mostly use the becquerel instead. The element curium is named after the Curies. It is not an ordinary English word you use for something else.