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adj

inquisitive

ihng-KWIH-zuh-tihv

Inquisitive (adj) means Eager to learn or find things out; curious. Example: “Their daughter is remarkably inquisitive for her age.”

adj
1
Eager to learn or find things out; curious.
"Their daughter is remarkably inquisitive for her age."
2
Prying or nosy about other people business.
"The neighbor asked a lot of inquisitive questions about our finances."

How to use inquisitive

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCurious — in a good sense (wanting to learn) or a nosy sense (prying).

Common pairings
inquisitive mind inquisitive child

Word forms

more inquisitive comparative, most inquisitive superlative

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Their daughter is remarkably _____ for her age.

Etymology

From Old French inquisitif, from Late Latin inquisitivus, from Latin inquirere, "to inquire."

Origin: Late Latin

Rhymes for inquisitive

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Frequently asked questions

What does “inquisitive” mean?

The word “inquisitive” means eager to learn or find things out; curious. In plain terms, curious — in a good sense (wanting to learn) or a nosy sense (prying).

How do you pronounce “inquisitive”?

“Inquisitive” is pronounced ihng-KWIH-zuh-tihv (/ɪŋˈkwɪzətɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “inquisitive” in a sentence?

Here is “inquisitive” used in a sentence: “Their daughter is remarkably inquisitive for her age.”

What part of speech is “inquisitive”?

“Inquisitive” is an adjective.

Where does the word “inquisitive” come from?

The word “inquisitive” comes from Late Latin. From Old French inquisitif, from Late Latin inquisitivus, from Latin inquirere, "to inquire.".

How many meanings does “inquisitive” have?

“Inquisitive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: eager to learn or find things out; curious.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial