enquire
Americanverb (used with or without object)
verb
Usage
What's the difference between enquire and inquire? Enquire and inquire mean the same thing: to ask, to seek information, or to investigate. Enquire is a less common variant of inquire. Their noun forms—enquiry and inquiry—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 enquire in contexts that are less formal. In the U. S., enquire is rarely used. Here’s an example of enquire used correctly in a sentence. Example: I’m calling to enquire about the open position. Inquire could be used in this sentence in the same exact way. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between enquire and inquire.
Other Word Forms
Explanation
You might enquire, or ask about, the difference between the words enquire and "inquire." Good question. The answer is, not much. They are the same word with different spellings. Typically the British prefer the "e" version, but both are correct. When you enquire about something, you are asking a question. This can come in many forms. Sometimes when you enquire, you are doing an investigation of a crime or an unsolved mystery. The National Enquirer is a tabloid that investigates celebrity gossip. But enquiring doesn't always have to be so dramatic. You could just be enquiring about the time.
Vocabulary lists containing enquire
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 the defence ministry published a statement on the matter, "dozens" of other groups contacted the authorities to enquire about the scheme, Myronenko said.
From Barron's ● Apr. 9, 2026
He was among five independent UN rights experts who sent a communication to the Indian government in 2024 to enquire about Nijjar's assassination.
From Barron's ● Mar. 24, 2026
She tells me that anyone from any background can enquire about adoption and that specialist training is available.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2024
The lobbying efforts were to enquire about direct funding, incentives and grants related to site selection, development and construction of a new battery processing facility in the province of Quebec, according to public documents.
From Reuters ● Aug. 1, 2023
After breakfast, the girls walked to Meryton to enquire if Mr. Wickham were returned, and to lament over his absence from the Netherfield ball.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
And he said he had enquired after the well-being of the two officers involved during police interview.
From BBC ● Nov. 29, 2025
"We were told it was for the US deportees after we enquired," he said, adding the ministry had been kept in the dark throughout the process.
From Barron's ● Nov. 17, 2025
However, one fan enquired as to whether she could have the kit herself.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2025
"So, has there been a tournament?" he enquired.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2024
“Is that your medicine?” enquired Michael, looking very interested.
From "Mary Poppins" by P. L. Travers
“He was constantly enquiring; some things he was pretty sure of, but much was in a state of enquiry,” she wrote.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 18, 2025
Housing charity Shelter said the full scale of the issue was not clear, because it was only after enquiring about a property than prospective tenants were told they were not welcome.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2023
The business has also seen a more than five-fold increase in people enquiring about vacancies.
From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2022
Harry Cairney, who runs the Fife garage whose address Auto-Promotions falsely listed as its own, says hundreds of people have called and visited in recent months, enquiring about vehicles advertised on the fake company's website.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2022
Darcy, after enquiring of her how Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner did, a question which she could not answer without confusion, said scarcely anything.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
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.
