inquisitive

[ in-kwiz-i-tiv ]
See synonyms for: inquisitiveinquisitiveness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. given to inquiry, research, or asking questions; eager for knowledge; intellectually curious: an inquisitive mind.

  2. unduly or inappropriately curious; prying.

noun
  1. an inquisitive person: thick curtains to frustrate inquisitives.

Origin of inquisitive

1
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.

Opposites for inquisitive

Other words from inquisitive

  • in·quis·i·tive·ly, adverb
  • in·quis·i·tive·ness, noun
  • su·per·in·quis·i·tive, adjective
  • su·per·in·quis·i·tive·ly, adverb
  • un·in·quis·i·tive, adjective
  • un·in·quis·i·tive·ly, adverb

Words Nearby inquisitive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use inquisitive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inquisitive

inquisitive

/ (ɪnˈkwɪzɪtɪv) /


adjective
  1. excessively curious, esp about the affairs of others; prying

  2. eager to learn; inquiring

Derived forms of inquisitive

  • inquisitively, adverb
  • inquisitiveness, 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