inquire

American  

[in-kwahyuhr] / ɪnˈkwaɪər /

verb (used without object)

inquired, inquiring

1. to seek information by questioning; ask.

   to inquire about a person.

   Synonyms:

   query, examine, investigate

2. to make investigation (usually followed byinto ).

   to inquire into the incident.

   Synonyms:

   query, examine, investigate

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verb (used with object)

inquired, inquiring

1. to seek to learn by asking.

   to inquire a person's name.

   Synonyms:

   query, examine, investigate

2. Obsolete. to seek.

3. Obsolete. to question (a person).

verb phrase

1. inquire after to ask about the state of health or condition of.

   Friends have been calling all morning to inquire after you.

inquire British  

/ ɪnˈkwaɪə /

verb

1. 1. to seek information; ask

      she inquired his age

      she inquired about rates of pay

   2. (foll by of) to ask (a person) for information

      I'll inquire of my aunt when she is coming

2. to make a search or investigation

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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.

Related Words

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

• inquirable adjective
• inquirer noun
• reinquire verb
• uninquired adjective

Etymology

Origin of inquire

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin inquīrere “to seek for” ( in- ², query ); replacing Middle English enqueren, from Old French enquerre, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Efforts to issue Lewandowski a gun stalled after The Wall Street Journal and other news organizations inquired about the incident last year, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal

“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

Melania inquires about what Macron has done to curb bullying and anxiety among French youth.

From Salon

Of course, the wretched Secrets Act forbids me from inquiring about what I observed, so I’ll have to puzzle it out on my own.

From Literature

Proctor said High Rise Financial recently inquired about buying her out of the settlement payment, which the county is expected to pay out over five years.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• examine
• inspect
• interrogate
• investigate