inquire
Americanverb (used without object)
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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)
-
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:
Elsie, after weeks of conversational lulls, started using the phone daily to coordinate French braids with soccer teammates and inquire about practice times.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 6, 2026
One recent morning, a client from Florida called Hubbard to inquire about a bomb shelter for 10 people.
From Barron's ● Mar. 12, 2026
The social worker did not check what information Surrey Police held on the family, and they did not speak to the school to inquire more about Sara's change in demeanour.
From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2025
Other questions inquire about gender and sex, with questions like, “What is the fundamental biological distinction between males and females?” and “Which chromosome pair determines biological sex in humans?”
From Salon ● Nov. 5, 2025
I had not expected him to inquire further but instead he perked up noticeably.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
The force said inquires were continuing and urged anyone with information to come forward.
From BBC ● Feb. 28, 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
County Sheriff’s Department did not respond to multiple inquires about Darjean’s case.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2025
She inquires at the desk but they claim they have no such person listed as a guest.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Cole said he’s inquired why the City Council and the public were not notified earlier about the operation, which occurred at multiple Southern California cities this week.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 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
We inquired today about whether it was included in our maintenance fees.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 14, 2026
The European Commission inquired about the current allegations in a letter on February 19.
From Barron's ● Mar. 12, 2026
“Why does she look at me like that?” inquired the girl of Robert.
From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin
He called the county registrar-recorder inquiring about the status of his mail-in ballot, he said, but the election staff didn’t see him listed as a registered voter.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026
Would detectives be limited to inquiring about specific customers?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 26, 2026
Rirdeshare Drivers United said drivers are often terminated for vague reasons and are met with endless automated chatbots when inquiring about their terminations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2026
Within the hour, Stabile said, he got a call from Smith, inquiring about a release plan.
From Salon ● Feb. 19, 2026
He was a Strange, with all that that entailed—though the significance of his name would be meaningless to her, and anyway, he didn’t think she was inquiring into his pedigree.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
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.
