inquire
Americanverb (used without object)
-
inquires,
present (3rd person singular)
-
inquired,
past participle, past
-
inquiring
present participle
-
to seek information by questioning; ask.
to inquire about a person.
- Synonyms:
- query, examine, investigate
-
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
-
-
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
There are three documents Brooks suggest you inquire about:
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
Regulators often inquire about internal controls on information and have penalized banks when they have found lapses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
Her status remains uncertain, and reporters in attendance Monday were told not to inquire further about Watkins’ recovery timeline.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026
This is difficult because there exists, all around us, an apparatus urging us to accept American innocence at face value and not to inquire too much.
From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates
He did not immediately respond to additional inquires about Weinstein’s condition.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
The force said inquires will continue on behalf of the coroner and inquests into both deaths will take place.
From BBC ● Feb. 24, 2026
“Are these the last days?” a village priest inquires.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 17, 2026
Melania inquires about what Macron has done to curb bullying and anxiety among French youth.
From Salon ● Feb. 1, 2026
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
When inquired by The Times on Monday morning, the AI bot did state the ad was paid for by Thrive LA, uses artificial intelligence and isn’t coordinated with a city candidate or committee.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
Then U.S. and Swiss law-enforcement officials inquired with the exchange about one of the customer’s accounts that had been repeatedly accessed from Tehran.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
"Our relationship with Kuwaiti customers is still good," he told AFP, as a Kuwaiti woman inquired about high-quality Iranian velvet.
From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 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
That we might become better acquainted, I inquired of Sip whether his children were as musical as he; for he was prodigiously knowledgeable, acquainted with the tunes of five nations.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Panahi was detained by Iranian authorities in 2022 after inquiring about the arrests of fellow filmmakers Mohammad Rasoulof and Mostafa Al-Ahmad.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
His constant filming, and his inquiring questions, aroused suspicions.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Local message boards on Facebook show residents filling bags with sand to protect their homes and inquiring whether stores remained open in the early hours on Saturday.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
Businesses in the first phase of payouts are inquiring, too, if they are still waiting and need cash, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
This cap was a beacon to the inquiring eyes of her family, who during these periods kept their distance, merely popping in their heads semi-occasionally to ask, with interest, “Does genius burn, Jo?”
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
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