Meaning & use
inquiring
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Keen to find things out and ready to ask questions.
Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: an inquiring mind.
Patterns
- an inquiring mind
- an inquiring look
She has an inquiring mind and loves taking things apart.
The teacher welcomed inquiring students.
An inquiring child asked why the sky is blue.
adjectivebefore a noun
Showing that you want to know something, as in a look or tone of voice.
Grammar: Describes a look, tone or glance: an inquiring glance.
Patterns
- an inquiring glance
- an inquiring tone
He gave her an inquiring look when she walked in late.
Her voice had an inquiring tone.
The cat raised an inquiring eyebrow, or so it seemed.
Common combinations
- inquiring mind
- A good scientist needs an inquiring mind.
- inquiring look
- He shot me an inquiring look.
- inquiring tone
- She spoke in an inquiring tone.
- inquiring glance
- The waiter gave an inquiring glance.
Synonyms and how they differ
- curious
- Curious is the everyday word and can also mean strange or nosy.
- inquisitive
- Inquisitive can sound slightly nosy when about other people's affairs.
- questioning
- Questioning stresses doubt or asking, not a love of learning.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: inquiring or inquisitive?
inquiring vs inquisitive
Inquisitive can imply prying, whereas inquiring is usually positive.
Practice
Which phrase best describes a student who loves asking why things happen?
Choose one answer.
An inquiring mind is eager to learn and ask questions. The other options describe lack of interest or openness.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “inquiring”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.