inquire
Americanverb (used without object)
-
inquires,
present (3rd person singular)
-
inquired,
past participle, past
-
inquiring
present participle
-
to seek information by questioning; ask.
to inquire about a person.
- Synonyms:
- query, examine, investigate
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to make investigation (usually followed byinto ).
to inquire into the incident.
- Synonyms:
- query, examine, investigate
verb (used with object)
-
inquires,
present (3rd person singular)
-
inquired,
past participle, past
-
inquiring
present participle
-
to seek to learn by asking.
to inquire a person's name.
- Synonyms:
- query, examine, investigate
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Obsolete. to seek.
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Obsolete. to question (a person).
verb phrase
verb
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to seek information; ask
she inquired his age
she inquired about rates of pay
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(foll by of) to ask (a person) for information
I'll inquire of my aunt when she is coming
-
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to make a search or investigation
Usage
What's the difference between inquire and enquire? Inquire and enquire mean the same thing: to ask, to seek information, or to investigate. Enquire is a less common variant of inquire. Their noun forms—inquiry and enquiry—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 inquire in contexts that are more formal. In the U. S., enquire is rarely used. Here’s an example of inquire used correctly in a sentence. Example: I’m calling to inquire about the open position. Enquire could be used in this sentence in the same exact way. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between inquire and enquire.
Synonym Usage
Inquire, ask, question imply that a person addresses another to obtain information. Ask is the general word: to ask what time it is. Inquire is more formal and implies asking about something specific: to inquire about a rumor. To question implies repetition and persistence in asking; it often applies to legal examinationor investigation: to question the survivor of an accident. Sometimes it implies doubt: to question a figure, an account.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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inquiresimple
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inquiressimple
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have inquiredperfect
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has inquiredperfect
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am inquiringprogressive
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are inquiringprogressive
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is inquiringprogressive
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have been inquiringperfect progressive
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has been inquiringperfect progressive
Past
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inquiredsimple
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had inquiredperfect
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was inquiringprogressive
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were inquiringprogressive
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had been inquiringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of inquire
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin inquīrere “to seek for” ( see in- 2, query); replacing Middle English enqueren, from Old French enquerre, from Latin, as above
Explanation
The verb inquire means "to ask for information." If you wonder about how the world began, you inquire about its origin. Inquire comes from the Latin combination of words in, meaning "into" and quærere, meaning "ask, seek." When you inquire, you look into something. You might ask a question, like inquiring if the bakery is hiring any cake decorators. Inquire can also mean "to conduct an investigation." No matter how you do it, when you inquire, you seek answers.
Vocabulary lists containing inquire
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Instead of "Said": Words for Asking and Offering
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"Working Toward Peace," Vocabulary from the personal essay
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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.
See Examples For:
After ProPublica shared the findings of its investigation and the names of veterans who would appear in it, the agency reached out to several to inquire about their care and offer help.
From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2026
There are three documents Brooks suggest you inquire about:
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
Wilson Hunter, the board’s general counsel, said the statement was prompted by unapproved peptides popping up in audits and investigations, via consumer complaints and as physicians inquire about guidance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026
Sir Keir dismissed the suggestion he should have done more to inquire about the outcome of Lord Mandelson's vetting process.
From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2026
But he never approached me, he never asked me point-blank what I did, he’d just inquire if I were earning enough for my family and then silently nod.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
He did not immediately respond to additional inquires about Weinstein’s condition.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
It encourages home sellers to share their listings first with Compass agents, their clients and anyone who inquires.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
“Are these the last days?” a village priest inquires.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 17, 2026
Melania inquires about what Macron has done to curb bullying and anxiety among French youth.
From Salon ● Feb. 1, 2026
He inquires as to when what is referred to only as his challenge will begin.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Monson de Kansky trained with the former Bolshoi Ballet prima ballerina for three years, until her father inquired about her future.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026
“And who is this Ted person?” my then-well father inquired.
From Salon ● Jun. 15, 2026
When he inquired about filing a complaint, a Vivos employee warned him off, Streeter testified in court.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026
The White House did not comment on the reports when AFP inquired about them.
From Barron's ● May 22, 2026
“So,” she inquired, flashing a glance Lazlo’s way.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Local message boards on Facebook show residents filling bags with sand to protect their homes and inquiring whether stores remained open in the early hours on Saturday.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
"We get tons of people inquiring about stories, and normally we kind of fob them off a bit," he said.
From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026
I never steered inquiring family and friends away from Spirit unless it was an event they couldn’t miss.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026
This is what the inquiring mind of Hideki Kuriyama, Shohei Ohtani’s former manager, wanted to know.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 9, 2026
We exchanged a few pleasantries as we climbed a narrow road between tall trees, he inquiring after how I had slept at the Taylors and so forth.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
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.
