inquiry

Also en·quir·y

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

noun

plural

inquiries 

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

   Synonyms: exploration, scrutiny, study

2. an investigation, as into an incident.

   a Congressional inquiry into the bribery charges.

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

4. a question; query.

   Antonyms: reply, answer

inquiry

/ ɪnˈkwaɪərɪ /

noun

1. a request for information; a question

2. 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

Other Word Forms

• reinquiry noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquiry¹

First recorded in 1400–50; inquire + -y ³; replacing late Middle English enquery

Synonym Study

See investigation.

Example Sentences

Her presidency was overshadowed by several investigations, including a corruption inquiry dubbed "Rolexgate" over allegations she accepted Rolex watches as bribes.

Read more on BBC

The move to create the FPC is in line with recommendations from the finance and expenditure committee’s recent inquiry into banking competition.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Such Finra letters often mark the start of deeper inquiries into insider trading, according to lawyers.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Those decisions are now likely to be reviewed as part of the inquiries by federal agencies.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Newsom’s office didn’t immediately reply to an inquiry about the measure Tuesday.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• analysis 
• audit 
• examination 
• hearing 
• inspection 
• interrogation 
• investigation 
• probe 
• query 
• question 
• questioning 
• request 
• research 
• scrutiny 
• search 
• study 
• survey 

When To Use

What's the difference between inquiry and enquiry?

Inquiry and enquiry have the same meanings: a question, an investigation, a request for information, or the process of seeking information. Enquiry is a less common variant of inquiry.Their verb forms—inquire and enquire—also mean the same thing: to ask, to seek information, or to investigate.Both inquiry and enquiry are somewhat formal, especially compared to similar terms like question or investigation. Some speakers of British English may use both words, preferring inquiry in contexts that are more formal. In the U.S., enquiry is rarely used.Here’s an example of inquiry used correctly in a sentence.Example: I forwarded you an email with an inquiry about the open position.Enquiry could be used in this sentence in the same exact way.Most of these same distinctions apply to the verbs inquire and enquire.To learn more about them, read the full breakdown of the difference between inquire and enquire.