inquire
Americanverb (used without object)
-
inquires,
present (3rd person singular)
-
inquired,
past participle, past
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inquiring
present participle
-
to seek information by questioning; ask.
to inquire about a person.
- Synonyms:
- query, examine, investigate
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to make investigation (usually followed byinto ).
to inquire into the incident.
- Synonyms:
- query, examine, investigate
verb (used with object)
-
inquires,
present (3rd person singular)
-
inquired,
past participle, past
-
inquiring
present participle
-
to seek to learn by asking.
to inquire a person's name.
- Synonyms:
- query, examine, investigate
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Obsolete. to seek.
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Obsolete. to question (a person).
verb phrase
verb
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to seek information; ask
she inquired his age
she inquired about rates of pay
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(foll by of) to ask (a person) for information
I'll inquire of my aunt when she is coming
-
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to make a search or investigation
Usage
What's the difference between inquire and enquire? Inquire and enquire mean the same thing: to ask, to seek information, or to investigate. Enquire is a less common variant of inquire. Their noun forms—inquiry and enquiry—also have the same meanings: a question, an investigation, a request for information, or the process of seeking information. Both inquire and enquire are somewhat formal. Some speakers of British English may use both words, preferring inquire in contexts that are more formal. In the U. S., enquire is rarely used. Here’s an example of inquire used correctly in a sentence. Example: I’m calling to inquire about the open position. Enquire could be used in this sentence in the same exact way. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between inquire and enquire.
Synonym Usage
Inquire, ask, question imply that a person addresses another to obtain information. Ask is the general word: to ask what time it is. Inquire is more formal and implies asking about something specific: to inquire about a rumor. To question implies repetition and persistence in asking; it often applies to legal examinationor investigation: to question the survivor of an accident. Sometimes it implies doubt: to question a figure, an account.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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inquiresimple
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inquiressimple
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have inquiredperfect
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has inquiredperfect
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am inquiringprogressive
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are inquiringprogressive
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is inquiringprogressive
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have been inquiringperfect progressive
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has been inquiringperfect progressive
Past
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inquiredsimple
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had inquiredperfect
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was inquiringprogressive
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were inquiringprogressive
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had been inquiringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of inquire
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin inquīrere “to seek for” ( see in- 2, query); replacing Middle English enqueren, from Old French enquerre, from Latin, as above
Explanation
The verb inquire means "to ask for information." If you wonder about how the world began, you inquire about its origin. Inquire comes from the Latin combination of words in, meaning "into" and quærere, meaning "ask, seek." When you inquire, you look into something. You might ask a question, like inquiring if the bakery is hiring any cake decorators. Inquire can also mean "to conduct an investigation." No matter how you do it, when you inquire, you seek answers.
Vocabulary lists containing inquire
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Instead of "Said": Words for Asking and Offering
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"Working Toward Peace," Vocabulary from the personal essay
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
After ProPublica shared the findings of its investigation and the names of veterans who would appear in it, the agency reached out to several to inquire about their care and offer help.
From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2026
For three months, he said, he called StubHub every three days to inquire about the status of his refund, and each time the representative would make him rehash the details of his experience.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
There are three documents Brooks suggest you inquire about:
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
Sir Keir dismissed the suggestion he should have done more to inquire about the outcome of Lord Mandelson's vetting process.
From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2026
Those who did inquire, during preparations and rehearsals, were told that to reveal the methods would ruin the effect.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
If you’re wondering how quickly to respond to inquires from recruiters and hiring managers, a new study suggests the faster the better.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
It encourages home sellers to share their listings first with Compass agents, their clients and anyone who inquires.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
Melania inquires about what Macron has done to curb bullying and anxiety among French youth.
From Salon ● Feb. 1, 2026
Police have revealed no further information about the driver or their motivation, but say inquires are ongoing.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2025
Celia inquires about Lainie’s journey before they discuss the city and the hotel, including the sweeping height of the room they sit within.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Chinese carmaker BYD inquired about taking over an idled Stellantis plant in the Toronto suburbs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
"What happened is to be inquired, where the hospital lacked facilities."
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
Clubs in the Premier League and overseas have inquired about Rashford and will surely continue to do so until the transfer window closes on 1 September.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
“And who is this Ted person?” my then-well father inquired.
From Salon ● Jun. 15, 2026
He also inquired whether Hoover would write a brief introduction.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
While doing the steps myself, I noticed participants regularly inviting curious, inquiring beachgoers to join in the following weekend.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
His constant filming, and his inquiring questions, aroused suspicions.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
The seller, from Western Colorado, was happy to oblige my “provenance” question, as if I were inquiring about an antique Cartier watch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 2026
"We get tons of people inquiring about stories, and normally we kind of fob them off a bit," he said.
From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026
Initially, he made rather general conversation, inquiring if all was well around the house and so on.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
