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View synonyms for

inquiry

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

noun

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

    Synonyms: , ,

  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: ,



inquiry

/ ɪˈɲɪəɪ /

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
“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

  • i·ܾy noun plural reinquiries
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Word History and Origins

Origin of inquiry1

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a judicial inquiry into allegations of political interference in the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes.

From

The interior ministry also said a preliminary inquiry had cleared him.

From

The government is to challenge a court ruling that found its refusal to hold a public inquiry into the killing of a GAA official was unlawful.

From

Kemi Badenoch has accused the government of breaking its promise to set up five local inquiries into grooming gangs despite pledging to do so.

From

She didn’t vote for Trump, but didn’t see her support for Kamala Harris as making any sort of stand for scientific inquiry, or as a means of protecting her grant.

From

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Inquiry Vs. Enquiry

's the difference between inquiry Իenquiry?

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.

Quiz yourself on inquiry Իenquiry!

True or False?

Inquiry and enquiry have the same meaning.

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inquiringinquisition