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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 by into ):

    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 about rates of pay

      she inquired his age

    2. foll by of to ask (a person) for information

      I'll inquire of my aunt when she is coming

  1. introften foll byinto 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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Derived Forms

  • ˈܾ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·ܾ·· adjective
  • ·ܾ· noun
  • ··ܾ verb reinquired reinquiring
  • ܲ··ܾ adjective
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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.

A male has been detained and inquires are ongoing to establish exactly what has happened.

From

Warren sent a letter inquiring about Lutnick's connections to Tether ahead of Lutnick’s confirmation hearings, noting its reputation as “outlaws’ favorite cryptocurrency.”

From

Mark Adams of Long Beach, who was visiting Gravitas to inquire about becoming a member, stumbled upon RummiKlub’s event and decided to hop into the game.

From

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Federal Trade Commission have also sent letters to 23andMe recently inquiring about data protection.

From

“We got inquires to open studios, so I decided to license out the system. And it took off from there.”

From

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Related Words

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Inquire Vs. Enquire

's the difference between inquire Իenquire?

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.

Quiz yourself on inquire .enquire!

True or False?

Inquire and enquire have the same meaning.

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