The word "inquisitive" is an adjective describing someone who is very interested in learning about many different things, often eager to ask questions or investigate. It can have a positive meaning of being intellectually curious and eager to gain knowledge. However, it can also be used in a slightly negative sense to describe someone who asks too many questions, sometimes in an annoying or intrusive way, especially about other people's business.

Definition

• Inquisitive means showing a strong desire to learn or know more, often by asking questions or examining things closely.
• It can be used to describe a curious mind or a person keen on investigation.
• Sometimes it implies being overly curious or prying into matters that might be private.

Usage and Connotations

• Positively, it describes a person or mind that loves discovering and understanding new things.
• Negatively, it can suggest asking too many questions or meddling in others' affairs.

Synonyms

• Curious, inquiring, enquiring, interested, questioning.

This dual nature is captured in examples such as "an inquisitive child" who wants to learn and "being too inquisitive" in a disapproving sense of prying.