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:
India's foreign ministry said consular officials had visited Pant "to enquire about his wellbeing".
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
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
Liverpool were among the first sides to seriously enquire about the forward in an attempt to head off competition for his signing.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 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
Like the Gambian, Sarr is a right-sided winger and the Reds initially enquired about the Senegal international last week, but that was rebuffed by Crystal Palace.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026
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
He enquired about a connection to mains electricity but was quoted £27,000 by his supplier, SP Electricity North West.
From BBC ● Dec. 8, 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 you sit down, Moddom?” enquired a voice, and they turned to find a tall man in a black coat coming out of the wood with a table-napkin over his arm.
From "Mary Poppins" by P. L. Travers
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
She had had two visits from social services enquiring about the whereabouts of the pair and felt the council, as a landlord, had a responsibility to them.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2025
The business has also seen a more than five-fold increase in people enquiring about vacancies.
From BBC ● Dec. 5, 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
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