inquisitive

1 of 2

adjective

in·​quis·​i·​tive in-ˈkwi-zə-tiv 

1

: given to examination or investigation

2

: inclined to ask questions

especially : inordinately or improperly curious about the affairs of others

inquisitively adverb

inquisitiveness noun

inquisitiveness

2 of 2

noun

in·​quis·​i·​tive·​ness

|ivnə̇s

plural -es

: the quality or state of being inquisitive

Synonyms of inquisitive

Adjective

• curious

Choose the Right Synonym for inquisitive

curious, inquisitive, prying mean interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern.

curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know.

children are curious about everything

inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.

dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.

prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

Examples of inquisitive in a Sentence

Adjective

… but now, with the wanderings of the fleets and their inquisitive occupants producing words from all over, the English vocabulary was enhanced not merely by the usual suspects but by words from India and Turkey, Arabia and Malaya, Japan and the native peoples of North America … —Simon Winchester, The Meaning of Everything, 2003

It's partly because humans are naturally inquisitive and exploratory but also, and more significant, because we need the unknown, what historians of religion call "otherness," to lend our lives significance. —David Nicholson-Lord, Nation, 6 Oct. 1997

Inquisitive eyes reveal the dingo's true nature—it's a hunter, from its cocked ears and powerful jaws to the white tip of its tail. —Mitch Reardon, Australian Geographic, July–September 1992

an inquisitive woman who tends to everybody's business but her own

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Her eyes wide and gaze inquisitive, Laura takes in everything around her. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 July 2026

Exceptional service that turns inquisitive travelers into return guests. — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

If American music in 1976 represented a collective, inquisitive, inventive American spirit of discovery, the semiquincentennial in the age of social media has become more about the individual identity. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Powell was one of scores of Taylor Swift fans and inquisitive passersby who braved the New York City heat Thursday to satiate their curiosity about what many are calling the wedding of the century and the American equivalent of royal nuptials. — ABC News, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see inquisition

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inquisitive

• acquisitive

Kids Definition

inquisitive

adjective

in·​quis·​i·​tive in-ˈkwiz-ət-iv 

1

: tending to inquire or investigate

2

: asking many questions

especially : too curious about other people's affairs

inquisitively adverb

inquisitiveness noun