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
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
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 list of such matters Dolan has shown a resistance to, or been inquisitive about, has grown long.
—Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
The ensuing conversations are inquisitive, and don’t feature too much overt tension, but all the while, Hong plants the seeds for his signature third-act outbursts over dinner and drinks.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
Opportunity begins with being inquisitive and checking out every option, regardless of how unconventional.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025
Equally inquisitive are the endemic Hood mockingbirds that live on shore.
—Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inquisitive
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Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
The ensuing conversations are inquisitive, and don’t feature too much overt tension, but all the while, Hong plants the seeds for his signature third-act outbursts over dinner and drinks.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
Opportunity begins with being inquisitive and checking out every option, regardless of how unconventional.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025
Equally inquisitive are the endemic Hood mockingbirds that live on shore.
—Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inquisitive
Cite this Entry
“Inquisitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquisitive. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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