inquisitive
adjective
in·quis·i·tive in-ˈkwi-zə-tiv 
1
: given to examination or investigation
2
: inclined to ask questions
especially : inordinately or improperly curious about the affairs of others
inquisitively adverb
inquisitiveness noun
Synonyms
- curious
- nosy
- nosey
- prying
- snoopy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
… but now, with the wanderings of the fleets and their inquisitive occupants producing words from all over, the English vocabulary was enhanced not merely by the usual suspects but by words from India and Turkey, Arabia and Malaya, Japan and the native peoples of North America … 
Simon Winchester, The Meaning of Everything, 2003 It's partly because humans are naturally inquisitive and exploratory but also, and more significant, because we need the unknown, what historians of religion call "otherness," to lend our lives significance. David Nicholson-Lord, Nation, 6 Oct. 1997 Inquisitive eyes reveal the dingo's true nature—it's a hunter, from its cocked ears and powerful jaws to the white tip of its tail. Mitch Reardon, Australian Geographic, July–September 1992 an inquisitive woman who tends to everybody's business but her own
Simon Winchester, The Meaning of Everything, 2003 It's partly because humans are naturally inquisitive and exploratory but also, and more significant, because we need the unknown, what historians of religion call "otherness," to lend our lives significance. David Nicholson-Lord, Nation, 6 Oct. 1997 Inquisitive eyes reveal the dingo's true nature—it's a hunter, from its cocked ears and powerful jaws to the white tip of its tail. Mitch Reardon, Australian Geographic, July–September 1992 an inquisitive woman who tends to everybody's business but her own Recent Examples on the Web Matthew, like Charles, is kind, inquisitive, and energetic. Sara Sidner And Meridith Edwards, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 Though still a relatively new breed, the LaPerm cat has become known as inquisitive, adventurous, and relatively social with everyone from humans to dogs. Corinne Sullivan, Woman's Day, 6 Sep. 2022 Jon Ronson brings an inquisitive, empathetic, and slightly neurotic intelligence to bear on fascinating and often surprising tales. Simon Hill, Wired, 4 Aug. 2022 Jackie Langford set a radon detector on her kitchen table and shooed away her inquisitive 12-year-old, who was more interested in talking uranium policy than finishing his homework. Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 8 Aug. 2022 The inquisitive maker, who studied architecture and is a musician by trade, started dreaming up his bodacious boudoir armor three years ago. Alice Newbold, Vogue, 2 Aug. 2022 At the heart of Red Star’s artistic output is an inquisitive celebration of Crow culture. Tiffany Midge, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 There are four major types of analytics: descriptive, inquisitive, predictive and prescriptive. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 7 June 2022 Bedlington Terriers are inquisitive, intelligent, and alert dogs. Jamie Ballard, Woman's Day, 3 May 2022 See More
Sara Sidner And Meridith Edwards, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 Though still a relatively new breed, the LaPerm cat has become known as inquisitive, adventurous, and relatively social with everyone from humans to dogs. Corinne Sullivan, Woman's Day, 6 Sep. 2022 Jon Ronson brings an inquisitive, empathetic, and slightly neurotic intelligence to bear on fascinating and often surprising tales. Simon Hill, Wired, 4 Aug. 2022 Jackie Langford set a radon detector on her kitchen table and shooed away her inquisitive 12-year-old, who was more interested in talking uranium policy than finishing his homework. Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 8 Aug. 2022 The inquisitive maker, who studied architecture and is a musician by trade, started dreaming up his bodacious boudoir armor three years ago. Alice Newbold, Vogue, 2 Aug. 2022 At the heart of Red Star’s artistic output is an inquisitive celebration of Crow culture. Tiffany Midge, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 There are four major types of analytics: descriptive, inquisitive, predictive and prescriptive. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 7 June 2022 Bedlington Terriers are inquisitive, intelligent, and alert dogs. Jamie Ballard, Woman's Day, 3 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see inquisition
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
inquisitive
adjective
in·quis·i·tive in-ˈkwi-zə-tiv
1
: in search of information
… there will be crowds of scientists and other inquisitive people … Oliver Butterworth, The Enormous Egg
Oliver Butterworth, The Enormous Egg2
: overly curious
inquisitive
adjective
as in curious
interested in what is not one's own business an inquisitive woman who tends to everybody's business but her own Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- curious
- nosy
- interested
- nosey
- prying
- snoopy
- questioning
- concerned
- officious
- quizzical
- meddlesome
- intrusive
- interrogative
- obtrusive
- meddling
- inquisitional
- inquisitorial
- interfering
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- incurious
- uncurious
- disinterested
- uninterested
- unconcerned
- indifferent
- apathetic
Synonym Chooser
The words curious and prying are common synonyms of inquisitive. While all three words mean "interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern," inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.
dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives
The meanings of curious and inquisitive largely overlap; however, curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know.
children are curious about everything
The words prying and inquisitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.
prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business