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

Example Sentences

The girl in front of him had freckled, light brown skin; inquisitive brown eyes; and a pert, round nose.

From Literature

But Forté was actually “an inquisitive 8-year-old who played the violin in a youth orchestra and even had a recital at the vaunted Brooklyn Academy of Music,” according to GQ.

From Los Angeles Times

She points out the ongoing Jupiter retrograde and urges participants to “let the parts that are inquisitive drive you.”

From Los Angeles Times

Being very inquisitive, no matter where I was, I always wanted to know what was going on.

From Literature

But, he adds that “learning should be inquisitive and not unnecessarily stressful or demanding.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• analytical
• nosy