Someone who is inquisitive asks a lot of questions. An inquisitive nature in many cases reflects intellectual curiosity—a generally desirable trait! However, inquisitive is sometimes used to suggest a degree of intrusiveness and inappropriateness. That said, be careful not to confuse inquisitive with inquisitorial, which, in pointing to inquisitions and inquisitors, calls to mind excessive cruelty.

The verb laud is a more celebratory way to say praise. If you laud the accomplishments, efforts, or achievements of another person, then you’re singing their praises. While we don’t mean singing literally (though who doesn’t love an impromptu serenade?), the suggestion of song is rooted in the history of this word: in its earliest uses, the verb laud suggested an act of worship, as the singing of a hymn, and a laud (noun) is a song or hymn of praise.

A spectacle is an elaborate or impressive show or display, such as the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. The term can also refer, more generally, to a visually striking scene, such as a starry sky on a cloudless night. The key idea behind the word spectacle is that of being seen, which doesn’t always work to one’s favor! Indeed, a show or display that is remarkable for all the wrong reasons might be called a spectacle. Additionally, to make a spectacle of oneself is to behave foolishly or badly in public.