inquire
Americanverb (used without object)
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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)
-
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
-
-
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:
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
One recent morning, a client from Florida called Hubbard to inquire about a bomb shelter for 10 people.
From Barron's ● Mar. 12, 2026
“At no time did the trial judge inquire of the jury or inform trial counsel of the note’s existence,” the appeals panel said, adding that the conversations with the judicial assistant were not transcribed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 2, 2026
Some of those investors have reached out to him to inquire about investments through his firm or joint ventures, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 30, 2025
Ser Patrek sent one of the men-at-arms scrambling up the steps to inquire as to whether Her Grace would receive them.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
He did not immediately respond to additional inquires about Weinstein’s condition.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 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
Five public inquires were started in Scotland between 2007 and 2014, including the Penrose contaminated blood probe and the Edinburgh Tram inquiry, at a cost of £42.6m.
From BBC ● Dec. 21, 2025
“Good evening, may I help you?” a voice inquires.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
Moolenaar’s committee only issued its press release about the trip after I inquired.
From Salon ● May 29, 2026
When he inquired about filing a complaint, a Vivos employee warned him off, Streeter testified in court.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026
The White House did not comment on the reports when AFP inquired about them.
From Barron's ● May 22, 2026
During production, his mother inquired about the film’s content.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2026
“Far from it, sir. You would, perhaps, think me rude if I inquired in return whether you are a philanthropist?”
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
A spokesperson for Lineage said that the company was inquiring about what it described as a safer alternative to rapid shutdown devices.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 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
DHS did not directly respond to a list of questions from the BBC inquiring about how it would address the water supply.
From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2026
“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
“The envelope had better be sealed when she receives it. I will make a point of inquiring about it.”
From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt
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.
