inquire

[in-kwahyuhr]

verb (used without object)

inquired, inquiring 

1. to seek information by questioning; ask.

   to inquire about a person.

   Synonyms: query, examine, investigate

2. to make investigation (usually followed byinto ).

   to inquire into the incident.

   Synonyms: query, examine, investigate

verb (used with object)

inquired, inquiring 

1. to seek to learn by asking.

   to inquire a person's name.

   Synonyms: query, examine, investigate

2. Obsolete.,  to seek.

3. Obsolete.,  to question (a person).

verb phrase

1. inquire after,  to ask about the state of health or condition of.

   Friends have been calling all morning to inquire after you.

inquire

/ ɪnˈkwaɪə /

verb

1. 1. to seek information; ask

      she inquired his age

      she inquired about rates of pay

   2. (foll by of) to ask (a person) for information

      I'll inquire of my aunt when she is coming

2. to make a search or investigation

Other Word Forms

• inquirable adjective
• inquirer noun
• reinquire verb
• uninquired adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquire¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin inquīrere “to seek for” ( in- ², query ); replacing Middle English enqueren, from Old French enquerre, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquire¹

C13: from Latin inquīrere from _in- ² + quaerere to seek

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

A May 8, 2014, email from Groff, Epstein’s secretary, reviewed by the Journal, inquired if Kahn had brought the cash that day.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some businesses didn’t allow underage workers, they said, while others look the other way and don’t inquire about ages.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Before AIG announced his appointment in July, the company inquired with Lloyd’s about Neal, one of the people familiar with the matter said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“And where did you learn all these wise things?” he inquired.

Read more on Literature

And Penelope, too, was half expecting a letter, for she had written to Simon in that morning’s post inquiring about the Gypsy woman.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• examine 
• inspect 
• interrogate 
• investigate 

When To Use

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.