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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Each side is outfitted with a different adventure—shape sorting, gear spinners, activity keys, sliders, and beads—for inquisitive young minds. Pamela Brill, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024 Plenty of inquisitive fans of the reality series have pointed out on Garrett Josemans' Instagram page in recent weeks that the 33-year-old Netflix reality star indeed has a new hairstyle — having swapped his short spiky hair from the show for a longer, messier look during a recent modeling gig. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024 But from the inside, this nonprofit arts and culture organization appears to be nothing more than a diverse community of inquisitive minds happy to spend an entire Saturday listening to lectures about death and dying at the Memento Mori Festival hosted in their 200-person auditorium. Jess Joho, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024 Such questions are open, inquisitive and searching, requiring descriptive answers. Christian Simpson, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inquisitive 

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 8 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!