enquiry
Americannoun
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
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.
Vocabulary lists containing enquiry
"The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka
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"God Sees the Truth, But Waits" by Leo Tolstory
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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.
He added that the Sikh community had been "pushed under a bus" and they are calling for a "judge-led public enquiry", which he believes will help to contain some of the anger directed at Sikhs.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
South Korea sent more than 140,000 children overseas for adoption between 1955 and 1999, according to an official enquiry in the country.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
It is understood that FC Basel was approached about a possible June 26 concert date but turned down the enquiry.
From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026
We asked for its response to reports that the car had been stationary and fired on without warning, and were told to direct our enquiry to the police.
From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026
She tried to keep the panic out of her voice, make it sound like a casual enquiry.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
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.
