inquiry

[in-kwahyuhr-ee, in-kwuh-ree]

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noun, plural in·quir·ies.

a seeking or request for truth, information, or knowledge.

an investigation, as into an incident: a Congressional inquiry into the bribery charges.

the act of inquiring or of seeking information by questioning; interrogation.

a question; query.

Nearby words

Also enquiry.

Origin of inquiry

1400–50; inquire + -y³; replacing late Middle English enquery

SYNONYMS FOR inquiry

1. study, scrutiny, exploration. See investigation.

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ANTONYMS FOR inquiry

4. answer, reply.

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Related formsre·in·quir·y, noun, plural re·in·quir·ies.

Can be confusedinquiry query

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inquiries

Inquiries will be accepted only via Western Union telegram or rotary phone.
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At first,” he writes, “the source was so nervous that he insisted I must make no inquiries for fear of exposing him.
Murdoch on the Rocks: How a Lone Reporter Revealed the Mogul's Tabloid Terror Machine|Clive Irving|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His work finally bore fruit when Theresa May, the current home secretary, announced the formation of the inquiries Monday.
Alleged U.K. Parliamentary Pedophile Ring Hushed Up for Decades|Nico Hines|July 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His spokeman, Donny Ferguson, has not responded to inquiries on the Congressman's whereabouts.
Where Is Rep Steve Stockman?|Ben Jacobs|January 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Sowell told Mr. and Mrs. Kleinhans to direct all inquiries to Ballard.
The Strange and Mysterious Death of Mrs. Jerry Lee Lewis|Richard Ben Cramer|January 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then he gaily sauntered on, until reaching the theater he stopped and made a number of inquiries.
The Strollers|Frederic S. Isham
I would have wished this rather to have remained as hitherto, without inquiry; but your inquiries have a right to be answered.
Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson|Thomas Jefferson
To his inquiries as to the whereabouts of his partner they made boisterous replies, their laughter rattling the windows.
Bring Me His Ears|Clarence E. Mulford
I think we made some inquiries about the safety of submarine boats in general.
Aircraft and Submarines|Willis J. Abbot.
They made all kinds of inquiries, but I set my men quietly to work loading the wood.
Red-Tape and Pigeon-Hole Generals|William H. Armstrong

British Dictionary definitions for inquiries

inquiry

enquiry

noun plural -ries

a request for information; a question

an investigation, esp a formal one conducted into a matter of public concern by a body constituted for that purpose by a government, local authority, or other organization

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inquiries

inquiry

mid-15c., enquery, from enquere (see inquire). Respelled from mid-16c. to conform to Latin.

inquiry

noun, plural in·quir·ies.

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of inquiry

Examples from the Web for inquiries

inquiry

enquiry

noun plural -ries

inquiry