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

"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

It added: "Prior to the Observer enquiry, we had not received any concerns about the book's content."

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

As the APD released the podcast in June, detectives were testing the DNA using new forensic genealogy technology, and the programme updated listeners about other new lines of enquiry.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

The head of UK counter-terrorism policing, Laurence Taylor, said in a statement that "we are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack".

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

In astronomy this is true; but in all the other fields of scientific enquiry the word consolidates a conceptual revolution.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

All six have since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

It added that the investigation into the incident was ongoing, and that officers would be carrying out further enquiries in the area over the coming days.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

Dorset Police said the raid followed intelligence from the community and detailed enquiries.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

"We have a number of enquiries underway but would ask anyone who was in that area of London Road last night, between 22:45 and 23:00, to contact police."

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

She then sought her eldest sister, who had undertaken to make enquiries on the same subject of Bingley.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Related Words

• inquiry
• inquisition
• query