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
The principal investigators and students were smart and inquisitive, their labs had expertise in building things, and everyone was genuinely curious about the experiments being designed and performed.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2024
Max is frantic and inquisitive, peppering Avery with questions and clinically presenting the possible scenarios; Tristan remains calm and collected, downplaying the situation while expressing aloof support.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 21 Nov. 2024
For Fiennes, who describes himself as a lapsed but inquisitive Catholic, the movie stirred up long-standing questions about faith and history.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
An inquisitive, adventurous spirit appears to be the special sauce as long as it’s channeled and catalyzed in a healthy way.
—Wes Moss, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inquisitive 
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IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2024
Max is frantic and inquisitive, peppering Avery with questions and clinically presenting the possible scenarios; Tristan remains calm and collected, downplaying the situation while expressing aloof support.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 21 Nov. 2024
For Fiennes, who describes himself as a lapsed but inquisitive Catholic, the movie stirred up long-standing questions about faith and history.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
An inquisitive, adventurous spirit appears to be the special sauce as long as it’s channeled and catalyzed in a healthy way.
—Wes Moss, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inquisitive
Dictionary Entries Near inquisitive
Cite this Entry
“Inquisitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquisitive. Accessed 31 Jan. 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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