inquisitiveness

[ in-kwiz-i-tiv-nis ]

noun

1. the quality of being given to asking questions; intellectual curiosity or eagerness for knowledge:

   Younger students often have an amazing sense of curiosity and inquisitiveness that naturally leads them into exploring and learning.

2. the quality of being excessively or inappropriately curious about other people’s affairs; nosiness:

   My landlord's inquisitiveness made me determined to seek more desirable accommodations elsewhere.

Other Words From

• su·per·in·quis·i·tive·ness noun
• un·in·quis·i·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquisitiveness¹

inquisitive ( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

That inquisitiveness didn’t necessarily make Perfetti a great student, however.

From Los Angeles Times

That task could be painful, but Bogle, now 79, had the empathy, even keel and inquisitiveness to pull it off.

From Los Angeles Times

Monaco’s opening anecdote, the first in a series of eight, introduces the sense of possibility he feels when he is in transit, the inquisitiveness he brings to bear on others and his amorphous concept of music as a medium for storytelling.

From New York Times

"There is an openness and inquisitiveness. He wants to ask questions, start dialogue and debate his game. That is great from our perspective."

From BBC

The BTP's review found that while no act or omission in the investigation was made maliciously, there was a "lack of professional inquisitiveness exacerbated by dilatory and lazy practices".

From BBC