inquisitive

[ in-kwiz-i-tiv ]

/ ɪnˈkwɪz ɪ tɪv /

adjective

given to inquiry, research, or asking questions; eager for knowledge; intellectually curious: an inquisitive mind.

unduly or inappropriately curious; prying.

noun

an inquisitive person: thick curtains to frustrate inquisitives.

Nearby words

inquire after, inquiring, inquiry, inquisition, inquisitionist, inquisitive, inquisitor, inquisitor-general, inquisitorial, inquisitress, inquorate

Origin of inquisitive

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

ANTONYMS FOR inquisitive

1, 2 uninterested.

Related forms

in·quis·i·tive·ly, adverbin·quis·i·tive·ness, nounsu·per·in·quis·i·tive, adjectivesu·per·in·quis·i·tive·ly, adverb

su·per·in·quis·i·tive·ness, nounun·in·quis·i·tive, adjectiveun·in·quis·i·tive·ly, adverbun·in·quis·i·tive·ness, noun

Synonym study

2. See curious.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inquisitively

It occurred to me that once or twice I had seen her eyes fixed on Hungerford inquisitively, and not free from antipathy.
Mrs. Falchion, Complete|Gilbert Parker
They looked up and stared at us inquisitively, but without moving.
The Swiss Family Robinson|Johann David Wyss
Many promenaders look on inquisitively, and more than one brow lowers.
History of the Commune of 1871|P. Lissagary
This extraordinary man had refused to enter into the details which she inquisitively craved.
The Inside of the Cup, Complete|Winston Churchill

And who is that dark, dignified man in the Turkish costume, around whom the ladies have clustered so inquisitively?
Edmond Dants|Edmund Flagg

British Dictionary definitions for inquisitively

inquisitive

/ (ɪnˈkwɪzɪtɪv) /

adjective

excessively curious, esp about the affairs of others; prying

eager to learn; inquiring

Derived Forms

inquisitively, adverbinquisitiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012