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 notesIn plain EnglishCurious — in a good sense (wanting to learn) or a nosy sense (prying).
Common pairings
inquisitive mind
inquisitive child
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like inquisitive.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more inquisitive
- Superlative
- most inquisitive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Their daughter is remarkably _____ for her age.
Etymology
From Old French inquisitif, from Late Latin inquisitivus, from Latin inquirere, "to inquire."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inquisitive
See all rhymes for inquisitive →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.
