inquisitive
adjective
in·quis·i·tive
| \ in-ˈkwi-zə-tiv
\
\
Definition of inquisitive
1
: given to examination or investigation
2
: inclined to ask questions
especially
: inordinately or improperly curious about the affairs of others
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Synonyms & Antonyms for inquisitive
Synonyms
curious, nosy (or nosey), prying, snoopy
Antonyms
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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
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Recent Examples on the Web
Jue also plays a couple of amusingly inquisitive travelers, and Kuroda is entertainingly overbearing and passionate as a stern Esperanto tutor. — Sam Hurwitt, The Mercury News, "Review: Delightful ‘Language Archive’ finds TheatreWorks on a roll," 15 July 2019 Out went Dunga and insularity and in came Tite, a far more intellectually inquisitive coach, who has instilled a far more progressive style. — Jonathan Wilson, SI.com, "Brazil Shows Character, Quality in Winning Copa America, Restoring Faith," 7 July 2019 The inquisitive are told all their questions have already been answered in his book, on sale for $12. — The Economist, "The last man to have built Mount Rushmore," 1 Aug. 2019 Close doors to all outbuildings because inquisitive lions may go inside for a look. — Hans Peter, The Denver Post, "Mountain lion spotted in west Loveland neighborhood," 20 July 2019 Claudia Buchanan, 16, from London, noted how inquisitive the duchess was during their conversation. — Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, "Camilla Welcomes a Horse to Clarence House for a Charity Reception," 9 July 2019 She was described by family as intelligent, organized, practical, inquisitive, a stickler for proper grammar, a survivor in difficult situations, and a gentlewoman. — Bonnie L. Cook, https://www.inquirer.com, "Gladys Palmer Bewley O’Brien, 96, former director of the Haddonfield Public Library," 5 June 2019 Symbolized by the archer, this energy is curious, inquisitive, and philosophical. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What November's Cancer Horoscope Means for You," 28 Oct. 2018 Keas, inquisitive green parrots native to New Zealand, unabashedly pry open trash can lids, strip the insulation from power lines and duel unarmed windshield wipers on cars. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, "How Humans Created the Ultimate Superpests," 9 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inquisitive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for inquisitive
inquisitive
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of inquisitive
: tending to ask questions : having a desire to know or learn more
disapproving
: asking too many questions about other people's lives
See the full definition for inquisitive in the English Language Learners Dictionary
inquisitive
adjective
in·quis·i·tive
| \ in-ˈkwi-zə-tiv
\
\
Kids Definition of inquisitive
1
: in search of information
… there will be crowds of scientists and other inquisitive people …— Oliver Butterworth, The Enormous Egg
2
: overly curious
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