enquiry

American  

[en-kwahyuhr-ee, en-kwuh-ree] / ɛnˈkwaɪər i, ˈɛn kwə ri /

noun

• enquiries
  plural

1. inquiry.

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Usage

What's the difference between enquiry and inquiry? Enquiry and inquiry have the same meanings: a question, an investigation, a request for information, or the process of seeking information. Enquiry is a less common variant of inquiry. Their verb forms—enquire and inquire—also mean the same thing: to ask, to seek information, or to investigate. Both enquiry and inquiry are somewhat formal, especially compared to similar terms like question or investigation. Some speakers of British English may use both words, preferring enquiry in contexts that are less formal. In the U. S., enquiry is rarely used. Here’s an example of enquiry used correctly in a sentence. Example: I forwarded you an email with an enquiry about the open position. Inquiry could be used in this sentence in the same exact way. Most of these same distinctions apply to the verbs enquire and inquire. To learn more about them, read the full breakdown of the difference between enquire and inquire.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• enquiries
  plural

Explanation

The noun enquiry is a British spelling of the word "inquiry." Both words mean the act of asking questions to gain information. If you are in London, you can make enquiries about the opening times of the many museums there. Although enquiry is now considered the variant spelling in the United States, it was the original English spelling of the word that comes from the Old French word enquerre. The noun also means a systematic investigation, usually undertaken for the benefit of the public. If you discover pollution in your local river, the government may open an enquiry into the source of the pollution and ways to clean it up.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

enquiry enquiries

The company expects its current contract win momentum to extend into 2027, with healthy enquiry pipelines across multiple vessel types, the analyst says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

ABP said it received an enquiry about landing recovered migrants.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

"A substantial file of material was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2025 and, following further lines of enquiry being undertaken, charges were authorised by the CPS," it added.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

The Met said its detectives had "exhausted numerous lines of enquiry - including working with coroners – to identify whether Levy is responsible for any similar, unsolved incidents, including deaths".

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

His enquiry into the prehistory of the idea of the circulation of the blood was the beginning of the history of science as a learned enterprise.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Gwent Police said a 45-year-old man from Aberbargoed, in Caerphilly was bailed pending further enquiries.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and immigration authorities did not respond to enquiries from BBC Chinese.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

The ASA said none of the apps' creators responded to its enquiries.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

In addition, each listing now receives an average of more than five enquiries.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

The only interesting comment comes from Detective Inspector Gaskill, who confirms that two men are helping the police with their enquiries.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

Related Words

• inquiry
• inquisition
• query