inquisitive

[in-kwiz-i-tiv]

adjective

1. given to inquiry, research, or asking questions; eager for knowledge; intellectually curious.

   an inquisitive mind.

   Antonyms: uninterested

2. unduly or inappropriately curious; prying.

noun

1. an inquisitive person.

   thick curtains to frustrate inquisitives.

inquisitive

/ ɪnˈkwɪzɪtɪv /

adjective

1. excessively curious, esp about the affairs of others; prying

2. eager to learn; inquiring

Other Word Forms

• inquisitively adverb
• inquisitiveness noun
• superinquisitive adjective
• superinquisitively adverb
• uninquisitive adjective
• uninquisitively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquisitive¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Late Latin inquīsītīvus, equivalent to Latin inquīsīt(us) ( inquisition ) + -īvus -ive; replacing Middle English inquisitif, from Middle French, from Late Latin, as above

Synonym Study

See curious.

Example Sentences

Mr. Winter is superb as Didi, the marginally more decisive and inquisitive of the two principal characters.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Apart from some surveillance, tailing suspects, one fatal encounter and an occasional chase, there’s little in the way of capital-A Action, mostly just a lot of talk — inquisitive, instructive, threatening, discursive, domestic or speechifying.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And its young members were initially inquisitive about how Social Security worked and what most needed fixing.

Read more on Salon

Eye‑level with an inquisitive Arctic wolf pack in −35 C, Mr Eshel fulfilled his dream to photograph these elusive creatures.

Read more on BBC

Zoo officials said he was inquisitive, gentle and smart.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• analytical 
• nosy