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
Men may enquire about prostate cancer checks, but there is no national programme in place.
From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2025
"Following the no confidence motion, the IMF stands ready to engage with the Pakistan government and enquire about its policy plans," IMF's Resident Representative Esther Perez Ruiz told Reuters.
From Reuters ● Apr. 14, 2022
At last I pluck up courage to enquire of the guards—it needs courage, for they are in uniform, and have lathis strapped to their wrists.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
Liverpool have previously enquired about Adam Wharton but Crystal Palace's stance is that the 22-year-old is not for sale.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
Mike enquired and was told it was 34ft wide.
From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2026
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
“Won’t your Merlyn turned round and looked closely at the boy through his spectacles. “What is the matter now?” he enquired nastily.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
She suggests, too, that an “expedition into morally deviant worlds can be good for the enquiring mind.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
“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
"The decision of who to let to is entirely with the landlord. We also do not prevent tenants from enquiring about any property," he said.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2023
Officers obtained recordings of Beard's phone calls to HMPO, in which he can be heard enquiring about passport applications under different names.
From BBC ● May 16, 2023
As to his real character, had information been in her power, she had never felt a wish of enquiring.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
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