inquisitive

adjective in·quis·i·tive \ in-ˈkwi-zə-tiv \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

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Examples: inquisitive in a Sentence

Definition of inquisitive

1 : given to examination or investigation

2 : inclined to ask questions; especially : inordinately or improperly curious about the affairs of others

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inquisitively

adverb

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inquisitiveness

noun

See inquisitive defined for English-language learners

See inquisitive defined for kids

Examples of inquisitive in a Sentence

… 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 of inquisitive from the Web

Growing up in a working-class family in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s capital, Romero developed an early awareness of gender inequality as an inquisitive child who wasn’t afraid to question authority.

— diana tsui, The Cut, "The Community Activist Who Dresses to Celebrate Her Heritage," 10 July 2018
Keas, inquisitive green parrots native to New Zealand, unabashedly pry open trash can lids, strip the insulation from power lines and duel unarmed windshield wipers on cars.

— katherine j. wu, Smithsonian, "How Humans Created the Ultimate Superpests," 9 July 2018
Always sensitive, always connected, always inquisitive, always fun.

— maria pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Darren Aronofsky Reflects on Filming Death Ritual with Anthony Bourdain for Parts Unknown Finale," 25 June 2018
None of this would matter if institutions hiring academics were appropriately vigilant about checking candidates’ publication histories against blacklists, and similarly inquisitive about the publications of those already employed.

— The Economist, "Some science journals that claim to peer review papers do not do so," 21 June 2018
Rock 'n’ roll that originates from Athens, Georgia, that has a dryly inquisitive nature all its own.

— morgan enos, Billboard, "T. Hardy Morris' 'Homemade Bliss' Inspects Everyday Meaninglessness Through a Kaleidoscope: Premiere," 16 May 2018
Always sensitive, always connected, always inquisitive, always fun.

— maria pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Darren Aronofsky Reflects on Filming Death Ritual with Anthony Bourdain for Parts Unknown Finale," 25 June 2018
Like any typical 3-year-old, Jaelyn Anderson seems to be more and more inquisitive by the day.

— samantha west, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "It's been 2 years since Jay Anderson Jr. was killed by a Wauwatosa police officer. His family continues to grieve.," 23 June 2018
There’s a family dynamic, and there’s the explorative, inquisitive crew, who is a little younger and Instagram-driven.

— kara baskin, BostonGlobe.com, "Getting Salty with Damon Lequin of Eastern Standard," 11 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inquisitive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of inquisitive

see inquisition

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

inquisitive Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

INQUISITIVE Defined for English Language Learners

inquisitive

adjective

Definition of inquisitive for English Language Learners

: tending to ask questions : having a desire to know or learn more
: asking too many questions about other people's lives

INQUISITIVE Defined for Kids

inquisitive

adjective in·quis·i·tive \ in-ˈkwi-zə-tiv \

Definition of inquisitive for Students

1 : in search of information

… there will be crowds of scientists and other inquisitive people …
—Oliver Butterworth, The Enormous Egg

2 : overly curious

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inquisitively

adverb

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inquisitive Spanish Central: Translation of inquisitive Nglish: Translation of inquisitive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inquisitive for Arabic speakers

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inquisitive

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inquisitively

inquisitiveness

Examples of inquisitive in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of inquisitive

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INQUISITIVE Defined for English Language Learners

inquisitive

Definition of inquisitive for English Language Learners

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inquisitive

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