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
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
"If you are a parent or guardian in the area and your child was out that night, we ask that you enquire about their movements and what they might know," Det Insp McWhinnie said.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 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
She longed to enquire of the housekeeper whether her master was really absent, but had not the courage for it.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
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
Fulham enquired about Griezmann to his club Real Sociedad and were quoted a price of £12m.
From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026
Arsenal also have a major interest in Villa defender Ezri Konsa and have enquired about the England international's availability.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 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
Turning towards him, “What were you playing this afternoon?” the girl on his left enquired.
From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
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
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
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.
