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.

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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.

synonym study for inquisitive

2. See curious.

OTHER WORDS FROM inquisitive

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

Words nearby inquisitive

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences 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 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