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
Jeremiah Wong, senior marketing communications manager at tour agency Chan Brothers Travel in Singapore, said some concerned customers had called to enquire about options for upcoming Australia trips due to the new isolation requirement.
From Reuters ● Nov. 29, 2021
She then proceeded to enquire into the measures which her father had intended to pursue, while in town, for the recovery of his daughter.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
Jamie enquired, as he accepted the trophy with the Brazilian Bruno Soares.
From BBC ● Apr. 15, 2026
"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
Louise Gibson says she enquired about spaces at her local state school but was told there is no room.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2024
"So, has there been a tournament?" he enquired.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2024
She enquired after his sister, but could do no more.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
In 2018, Dublin-born Roberto Lopes, whose father is from Cape Verde, received a message from the country's manager Rui Aguas via LinkedIn, enquiring whether he would be interested in playing for the national team.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 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
Sources told BBC Sport that Kudus had prioritised a move to north London despite at least six top clubs enquiring about him.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2025
The business has also seen a more than five-fold increase in people enquiring about vacancies.
From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2022
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
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.
