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inquisitive

[ in-kwiz-i-tiv ]
/ ɪnˈkwɪz ɪ tɪv /
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See synonyms for: inquisitive / inquisitiveness on Thesaurus.com
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.
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Origin of inquisitive

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

synonym study for inquisitive

2. See curious.

OTHER WORDS FROM inquisitive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to inquisitive

analytical, nosy, challenging, forward, impertinent, inquiring, inquisitorial, interested, intrusive, investigative, meddlesome, meddling, peering, personal, poking, presumptuous, probing, prying, questioning, scrutinizing

How to use inquisitive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inquisitive

inquisitive
/ (ɪnˈkwɪzɪtɪv) /
adjective
excessively curious, esp about the affairs of others; prying
eager to learn; inquiring

Derived forms of inquisitive

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
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