INQUISITIVE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does inquisitive mean? 

• INQUISITIVE (adjective)
  The adjective INQUISITIVE has 2 senses:

1. showing curiosity

2. inquiring or appearing to inquire

  Familiarity information: INQUISITIVE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INQUISITIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Showing curiosity

Synonyms:

inquisitive; questioning; speculative; wondering

Context example:

raised a speculative eyebrow

Similar:

curious (eager to investigate and learn or learn more (sometimes about others' concerns))

Derivation:

inquire (have a wish or desire to know something)

inquisitiveness (a state of active curiosity)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Inquiring or appearing to inquire

Context example:

the police are proverbially inquisitive

Similar:

inquiring (given to inquiry)

Derivation:

inquire (have a wish or desire to know something)

inquire (conduct an inquiry or investigation of)

inquisitiveness (a state of active curiosity)

 Context examples 

They had scarcely been two minutes by themselves, before he began to speak of Edward; for he, too, had heard of the living, and was very inquisitive on the subject.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Once Maud screamed in terror as a cow thrust an inquisitive nose toward her foot, and several times I quickened my pace for the same reason.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

You are very inquisitive, Mr. Holmes.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

My thoughts now became more active, and I longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely creatures; I was inquisitive to know why Felix appeared so miserable and Agatha so sad.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Now this lady was a thin, yellow spinster, with a sharp nose and inquisitive eyes, who saw everything and gossiped about all she saw.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

When you are inquisitive, Jane, you always make me smile.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

But hush! no telling to others that make so inquisitive questions.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Two-score archers stood about the gateway, and beat back from time to time with their bow-staves the inquisitive and chattering crowd who swarmed round the portal.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

For being of an inquisitive disposition, and unable to confine herself (as her positive instructions were) to the pantry, she was constantly peering in at us, and constantly imagining herself detected; in which belief, she several times retired upon the plates (with which she had carefully paved the floor), and did a great deal of destruction.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I am as heartily sorry as any of my readers can possibly be, that such an occasion was given: but this prince happened to be so curious and inquisitive upon every particular, that it could not consist either with gratitude or good manners, to refuse giving him what satisfaction I was able.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)