inquire

American  

[in-kwahyuhr] / ɪnˈkwaɪər /

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

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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 British  

/ 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

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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” ( 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.

Example Sentences

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

Or is the right limited to parents who inquire and object to being “shut out of participation in decisions involving their children’s mental health,” as the high court said in Mirabelli vs.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 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

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

Before she had a chance to inquire further, Emily rushed out of the room.

From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord

Related Words

• examine
• inspect
• interrogate
• investigate