enquire
Americanverb (used with or without object)
verb
Usage
What's the difference between enquire and inquire? Enquire and inquire mean the same thing: to ask, to seek information, or to investigate. Enquire is a less common variant of inquire. Their noun forms—enquiry and inquiry—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 enquire in contexts that are less formal. In the U. S., enquire is rarely used. Here’s an example of enquire used correctly in a sentence. Example: I’m calling to enquire about the open position. Inquire could be used in this sentence in the same exact way. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between enquire and inquire.
Other Word Forms
Explanation
You might enquire, or ask about, the difference between the words enquire and "inquire." Good question. The answer is, not much. They are the same word with different spellings. Typically the British prefer the "e" version, but both are correct. When you enquire about something, you are asking a question. This can come in many forms. Sometimes when you enquire, you are doing an investigation of a crime or an unsolved mystery. The National Enquirer is a tabloid that investigates celebrity gossip. But enquiring doesn't always have to be so dramatic. You could just be enquiring about the time.
Vocabulary lists containing enquire
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:
After the defence ministry published a statement on the matter, "dozens" of other groups contacted the authorities to enquire about the scheme, Myronenko said.
From Barron's ● Apr. 9, 2026
He was among five independent UN rights experts who sent a communication to the Indian government in 2024 to enquire about Nijjar's assassination.
From Barron's ● Mar. 24, 2026
“We went to several police stations to enquire, but they said they had no information on him and he was not in their custody,” she recalls.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2024
The lobbying efforts were to enquire about direct funding, incentives and grants related to site selection, development and construction of a new battery processing facility in the province of Quebec, according to public documents.
From Reuters ● Aug. 1, 2023
It was hardly necessary to enquire the way, for quite a number of pilgrims and monks from Gotama’s followers were on the way to Jetavana.
From "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse
Liverpool enquired about Adam Wharton earlier in the year but they are not the only club interested in the Crystal Palace midfielder.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
And he said he had enquired after the well-being of the two officers involved during police interview.
From BBC ● Nov. 29, 2025
"We were told it was for the US deportees after we enquired," he said, adding the ministry had been kept in the dark throughout the process.
From Barron's ● Nov. 17, 2025
At least six top clubs have enquired about Kudus in recent weeks but well-placed sources told BBC Sport the 24-year-old had prioritised a move to Spurs.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2025
"You are right, Samana. Wait a moment” Kamaswami went out and returned with a roll which he handed to his guest and enquired: "Can you read this?”
From "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse
In 2018, Dublin-born Roberto Lopes, whose father is from Cape Verde, received a message from the country's manager Rui Aguas via LinkedIn, enquiring whether he would be interested in playing for the national team.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
“He was constantly enquiring; some things he was pretty sure of, but much was in a state of enquiry,” she wrote.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 18, 2025
Terry Dilliway, who runs a shop selling furniture on Glastonbury High Street and has attended the festival for 40 years, also said he had helped people enquiring about the location of the event.
From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2025
Research by BBC Verify found the name Peter Cunningham was mentioned by a user on X on Monday evening, in response to a post enquiring about the identity of the suspect.
From BBC ● May 28, 2025
As to his real character, had information been in her power, she had never felt a wish of enquiring.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
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.
