inquire

[in-kwahyuhr]

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

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• inquirer noun
• inquirable adjective
• reinquire verb
• uninquired adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquire¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquire¹

C13: from Latin inquīrere from _in- ² + quaerere to seek

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

“My question is what is the culture of your clinic because why did this many employees feel comfortable participating in this?” another user inquired on Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times

Police have revealed no further information about the driver or their motivation, but say inquires are ongoing.

From BBC

They did inquire about taking 32-year-old Martinez on loan at the start of the summer but Villa told them they were not interested.

From BBC

Chotev, who worked as a systems engineer in IT for more than a decade, said ICE officials asked him whether he was a citizen and inquired about his skills.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2019, the Houston Dash inquired about her, as did European clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and West Ham.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• examine 
• inspect 
• interrogate 
• investigate 

When To Use

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.