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
While Gemini is curious, inquisitive and communicative, Virgo is preoccupied with the need for order, cohesion and productivity.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 31 May 2025
Luke Breed: Beagle Age: 2 years Luke is a super smart and inquisitive dog with a gentle soul.
—Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2025
In the mid-1970s, thanks to an inquisitive press and a newly assertive Congress, the public began to learn about the CIA’s more outlandish undertakings: not just coups and killings but also mind-control experiments (the notorious MKUltra program) and the surveillance of American citizens.
—James Santel, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
On her way out of town, inquisitive FBI agent Sylvia Washington (Jenna Elfman) gives Leaphorn the revealing cassette tape with Emma’s moving testimony about Vines’ death.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inquisitive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 31 May 2025
Luke Breed: Beagle Age: 2 years Luke is a super smart and inquisitive dog with a gentle soul.
—Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2025
In the mid-1970s, thanks to an inquisitive press and a newly assertive Congress, the public began to learn about the CIA’s more outlandish undertakings: not just coups and killings but also mind-control experiments (the notorious MKUltra program) and the surveillance of American citizens.
—James Santel, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
On her way out of town, inquisitive FBI agent Sylvia Washington (Jenna Elfman) gives Leaphorn the revealing cassette tape with Emma’s moving testimony about Vines’ death.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 28 Apr. 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 9 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share