inquisitive

American  

[in-kwiz-i-tiv] / ɪnˈkwɪz ɪ tɪv /

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.

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noun

1. an inquisitive person.

   thick curtains to frustrate inquisitives.

inquisitive British  

/ ɪnˈkwɪzɪtɪv /

adjective

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

2. eager to learn; inquiring

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Related Words

See curious.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of inquisitive

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

Explanation

If you are inquisitive that means you love to inquire; you’re always asking questions. Don’t become a private detective if you don’t have an inquisitive personality. The old word for question is query, which you can hear in inquire, which means to ask questions. That toddler always asking “why?” is going through an inquisitive stage of development. If someone throws relentlessly hard questions at us, we might call it an inquisition. If your daughter brings her boyfriend home to dinner, be gently inquisitive, but try not to turn it into an inquisition. You'll just make him nervous.

Example Sentences

“He’s aware of his position in the world. He lives by himself and he’s gay and he’s been unhappy in love. He’s inquisitive and he’s domineering — I can sort of relate to that.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

She says he's inquisitive about "what the big milestones are, what the risky parts are, when he can sigh a sigh of relief, when he needs to be glued to the TV".

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Such baseless reticence only makes us more defiant and less inquisitive.

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2026

Anyone can assert their inquisitive expertise by the sole virtue of making the trip and setting up shop.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

The first, which will perhaps become increasingly important in an inquisitive age which professes to still value privacy, makes it possible to obtain sensitive information about a group of people without compromising any person’s privacy.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Related Words

• analytical
• nosy