inquiring

American  

[in-kwahyuhr-ing] / ɪnˈkwaɪər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. seeking facts, information, or knowledge.

   an inquiring mind.

2. curious; probing; inquisitive in seeking facts.

   an inquiring reporter.

3. scrutinizing; questioning.

   He looked at his father with inquiring eyes.

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inquiring British  

/ ɪnˈkwaɪərɪŋ /

adjective

1. seeking or tending to seek answers, information, etc

   an inquiring mind

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Other Word Forms

• inquiringly adverb
• noninquiring adjective
• noninquiringly adverb
• uninquiring adjective

Etymology

Origin of inquiring

First recorded in 1595–1605; inquire + -ing ²

Example Sentences

“I don’t have my spiel yet!” she warns, inquiring for the first of a few times what I thought of it and whether I enjoyed it.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

In the correspondence, Sultan asked, "Should I accept the invitation," before inquiring whether it would be possible to "shake hand with Trump".

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

Steve Tisch, co-owner of the New York Giants, is shown in the release of Epstein-related documents inquiring about a woman he met at Epstein's house.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

I recently came across a six-year-old post on Reddit, inquiring about cardamom, which the original poster had only heard of after watching “The Great British Bake Off.”

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2026

“It’s okay with me. And that reminds me, we might have a first student for your lessons, a little girl named Aisha. Her mother was inquiring at the Islamic Center.”

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan