inquisitive

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

Synonyms

• curious
• nosy
• nosey
• prying
• snoopy

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

… 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

An inquisitive crowd was lined up down the Leonard Street sidewalk, where performers dressed in rose gold dresses welcomed guests into the annual Tribeca Ball. —Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2025

In the coming years, across sectors, curious and inquisitive individuals who demonstrate strong learning agility, and an ability to fuse human and machine skills will become top talent. —Amanda Kavanagh | This Column Was Created By Jobbio, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025

Disney’s live-action film has become so fraught with controversy that the premiere on March 15 will be scaled back and exclude pesky, inquisitive press from the red carpet. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025

Alligator is permissible to eat on Fridays during Lent, the archbishop of New Orleans told an inquisitive parishioner who once sent a letter to the religious leader seeking clarification, according to the Catholic News Agency. —Peter Burke, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see inquisition

First Known Use

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