inquisitive

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

Updated on: 4 May 2018

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

O’Connor’s determined and inquisitive mind lends itself to softball success as well.

— rich mayor, chicagotribune.com, "Nora O'Connor brings next-level intellect to Fenwick softball," 25 Apr. 2018
Be inquisitive, curious and willing to just ask questions and just listen.

— steve jagler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Jagler: Undaunted by hate mail, Hispanic business leader Griselda Aldrete embodies collaboration," 20 Apr. 2018
Against all odds, the basketball gods had bestowed upon him another quiet, selfless kid with generational talent, an inquisitive mind, and an eagerness to be challenged.

— mike finger, San Antonio Express-News, "As challenge mounts, Popovich not tired yet," 15 Apr. 2018
Adney was a deeply intelligent and inquisitive man who entered college at the young age of 13.

— Anchorage Daily News, "In ‘Klondike Stampede,’ the madness of the Gold Rush, told by one who lived it," 14 Apr. 2018
The group was never cited in the meme, though source material is rarely credited in the typically slapdash genre, leaving only the most inquisitive watchers and others in the know to figure it out.

— the washington post, cleveland.com, "How a black college dance troupe landed a decades-old Fleetwood Mac song on the Billboard charts," 5 Apr. 2018
Perhaps this is why the plaintiffs seemed so ill-prepared for their first court outings with tough questions from an informed and inquisitive judge.

— phelim mcaleer, WSJ, "Climate Alarmists May Inherit the Wind," 1 Apr. 2018
Built as monuments to greater powers, these spaces function as reminders of our tininess and testaments to our forever inquisitive minds.

— cnt editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "Sacred Travel," 29 Mar. 2018
Born in 1942 in Oxford, 300 years to the day after the death of fellow famed physicist and astronomer Galileo, Hawking was inquisitive and curious from a young age.

— Time, "What Happened When TIME Met Stephen Hawking 30 Years Ago," 14 Mar. 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

Definition of inquisitive

inquisitively

inquisitiveness

Examples of inquisitive in a Sentence

Recent Examples of inquisitive from the Web

Origin and Etymology of inquisitive

inquisitive Synonyms

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INQUISITIVE Defined for English Language Learners

inquisitive

Definition of inquisitive for English Language Learners

INQUISITIVE Defined for Kids

inquisitive

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inquisitively

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