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
Examples of inquisitive in a Sentence
… 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
Fried made a similar first impression on Aaron Boone, Matt Blake and the Yankees’ front office over the offseason, exciting them with his inquisitive nature during a free agency Zoom call.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025
The dogs, which thrust inquisitive muzzles into the impressions, apparently could derive no lingering whiff of lion odor from the tracks.
—Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
Her goal is to start a women’s consciousness-raising group, and her efforts have brought together a motley, inquisitive quintet.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Additionally, there are passages written by the filmmakers and narrated by an actor based on Ashley’s life, which seem too inquisitive toward Lear.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inquisitive
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Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025
The dogs, which thrust inquisitive muzzles into the impressions, apparently could derive no lingering whiff of lion odor from the tracks.
—Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
Her goal is to start a women’s consciousness-raising group, and her efforts have brought together a motley, inquisitive quintet.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Additionally, there are passages written by the filmmakers and narrated by an actor based on Ashley’s life, which seem too inquisitive toward Lear.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inquisitive
Cite this Entry
“Inquisitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquisitive. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inquisitive
adjective
in·quis·i·tive
in-ˈkwiz-ət-iv
1
: tending to inquire or investigate
2
: asking many questions
especially
: too curious about other people's affairs
inquisitively
adverb
inquisitiveness
noun
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