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View synonyms for

inquire

[in-kwahyuhr]

verb (used without object)

inquired, inquiring 
  1. to seek information by questioning; ask.

    to inquire about a person.

    Synonyms: , ,
  2. to make investigation (usually followed byinto ).

    to inquire into the incident.

    Synonyms: , ,


verb (used with object)

inquired, inquiring 
  1. to seek to learn by asking.

    to inquire a person's name.

    Synonyms: , ,
  2. Obsolete.to seek.

  3. Obsolete.to question (a person).

verb phrase

  1. to ask about the state of health or condition of.

    Friends have been calling all morning to inquire after you.

inquire

/ ɪˈɲɪə /

verb

    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

  1. to make a search or investigation

“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
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Other Word Forms

  • inquirable adjective
  • inquirer noun
  • reinquire verb
  • uninquired adjective
  • ˈܾ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of inquire1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin Աī “to seek for” ( in- 2, query ); replacing Middle English enqueren, from Old French enquerre, from Latin, as above
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Word History and Origins

Origin of inquire1

C13: from Latin Աī from in- ² + quaerere to seek
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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.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But Mr Kalawadia wondered if any of these inquires - into the plane crash, the victims and beyond - would help him find his brother, dead or alive.

From

She had arrived at the center to inquire about Service Employees International Union California President David Huerta, who was injured and detained while documenting an immigration enforcement raid in downtown Los Angeles on Friday.

From

In April, Phillips told the House of Commons she expected there would be further inquires beyond the initial five announced.

From

Apart from Hugo’s asking for “help with the cold cuts” or inquiring whether everyone’s cool with reusing plates, there is a scarcely a line in which people talk like people; it is all theatrical declaration.

From

Clark said they wanted to stay near the memories they built over the years with their five children, 21 grandchildren and one great-grandchild and inquired unsuccessfully about roughly 30 homes near Altadena.

From

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Related Words

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When To Use

's the difference betweeninquire andenquire?

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.

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