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 stocky twosome, with long inquisitive snouts, can now be seen at the zoo’s elephant compound, sharing space with the capybaras, zoo officials said in a June 25 news release.
—Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 1 July 2024
This inquisitive mind’s vision is not just to improve efficiency, but to make agriculture more sustainable.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 8 June 2024
The lighthearted Sun enters inquisitive Gemini at 8:59 am EDT, scattering our attention in seemingly infinite directions.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 20 May 2024
During the episode, her inquisitive best friend, Eloise (Claudia Jesse), uncovered her alter ego, Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews).
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for inquisitive 
Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 1 July 2024
This inquisitive mind’s vision is not just to improve efficiency, but to make agriculture more sustainable.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 8 June 2024
The lighthearted Sun enters inquisitive Gemini at 8:59 am EDT, scattering our attention in seemingly infinite directions.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 20 May 2024
During the episode, her inquisitive best friend, Eloise (Claudia Jesse), uncovered her alter ego, Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews).
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for inquisitive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inquisitive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inquisitive
Cite this Entry
“Inquisitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquisitive. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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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