inquisitive
in-KWIZ-uh-tiv
/ɪnˈkwɪz.ə.tɪv/
Having or showing an interest in learning things and asking many questions.
Implies an active, habitual tendency to ask questions. Mostly positive, though can occasionally border on pushy.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'inquirere' (to search into), combining 'in-' (into) and 'quaerere' (to seek). It shares history with 'inquisition', though the adjective today usually carries a far friendlier tone.
Word relationships
- curious: Curious describes the desire to know; inquisitive stresses actively asking questions.
- inquiring: Inquiring is slightly more formal and often used for intellectual pursuits.
- incurious: Incurious means lacking any desire to learn or investigate.
- apathetic: Apathetic implies total lack of feeling or concern.
Commonly confused with
- prying: Inquisitive stems from intellectual desire; prying stems from unwelcome desire to uncover secrets.
Word family
- inquisitiveness (noun): The quality of being inquisitive.
- inquisitively (adverb): In an inquisitive manner.
Collocations
- inquisitive nature
- inquisitive mind
- inquisitive glance
- highly inquisitive
Example sentences
- "Childhood is defined by an inquisitive spirit that demands to know how every mechanism functions." Child development
- "Her inquisitive nature led her to cross-examine historical records that previous scholars had ignored." Academic research
Memory hook
An INQUISITIVE person holds an INQUIRY into every topic. Ask questions into everything.
When not to use
Avoid when describing simple observation without verbal questioning.
Fun facts
- Despite sharing the root of 'Spanish Inquisition', 'inquisitive' is today overwhelmingly viewed as a praise-worthy intellectual trait.
Related words
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