inquisitive

adjective

in·​quis·​i·​tive in-ˈkwi-zə-tiv How to pronounce inquisitive (audio)
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
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 The moment between Hart and the inquisitive paparazzi was shared by Entertainment Tonight. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Oct. 2024 Being inquisitive, caring about others and wanting to minimize the disruption to overall humanity helps offer sustainable solutions. Kinga Vajda, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 For all of its midsized gaps and failures of interrogation, though, Wise Guy represents Gibney at his most playfully engaged, with his fan’s enthusiasm yielding a doc that’s inquisitive and formally light on its feet throughout. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024 The revealing reply came after an inquisitive fan asked about a potential Cole and Cudi collab on Wednesday (Sept. 18). Michael Saponara, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inquisitive 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inquisitive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see inquisition

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inquisitive was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near inquisitive

Cite this Entry

“Inquisitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquisitive. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

inquisitive

adjective
in·​quis·​i·​tive in-ˈkwiz-ət-iv How to pronounce inquisitive (audio)
1
: tending to inquire or investigate
2
: asking many questions
especially : too curious about other people's affairs
inquisitively adverb
inquisitiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on inquisitive

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