inquire
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to seek information by questioning; ask.
to inquire about a person.
- Synonyms:
- query, examine, investigate
-
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
-
Obsolete. to seek.
-
Obsolete. to question (a person).
verb phrase
verb
-
-
to seek information; ask
she inquired his age
she inquired about rates of pay
-
(foll by of) to ask (a person) for information
I'll inquire of my aunt when she is coming
-
-
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.
Related Words
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
- inquirable adjective
- inquirer noun
- reinquire verb
- uninquired adjective
Etymology
Origin of inquire
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
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.
One recent morning, a client from Florida called Hubbard to inquire about a bomb shelter for 10 people.
From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026
So, it’s not clear what teachers have the right to say to parents who don’t inquire about the issue, legal experts said.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026
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
And some creditors could have options that you wouldn’t know to inquire about specifically.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025
"My lord father has sent me to greet you, and inquire as to who leads this mighty host."
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
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.
