Words / C1

in-KWIZ-uh-tiv/ɪnˈkwɪzətɪv/

Inquisitive means eager to know things; sometimes too curious: an inquisitive mind, inquisitive questioning. Curious (already in the dictionary) is everyday and milder; a corridor chat is not an inquiry minute.

Meaning

Eager to know things; sometimes too curious.

Examples

• “An inquisitive corridor chat is not an inquiry minute.”
• “Curious is already in this course and milder. Nosy is informal and a fault. A chat is talk. A minute is a file. Write the time; then chat if you still want to.”

Good to know

Curious (sometimes overly). Everyday: curious (already in the dictionary). A chat ≠ a minute.

Near in meaning

curious, probing, enquiring

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