inquire

in·quire

verb \in-ˈkwī(-ə)r\

in·quiredin·quir·ing

Definition of INQUIRE

transitive verb

1

: to ask about <some kindred spirit shall inquire thy fate — Thomas Gray>

2

: to search into : investigate

intransitive verb

1

: to put a question : seek for information by questioning <inquired about the horses>

2

: to make investigation or inquiry —often used with into

— in·quir·er noun

— in·quir·ing·ly \-ˈkwī-riŋ-lē\ adverb

— inquire after

: to ask about the health of

Examples of INQUIRE

1. When I inquired, they told me she was not here.
2. We inquired the way to the station.
3. “So, what do you want?” he inquired.

Origin of INQUIRE

Middle English enquiren, from Anglo-French enquerre, from Vulgar Latin *inquaerere, alteration of Latin inquirere, from in- + quaerere to seek

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with INQUIRE

attire, backfire, bemire, catch fire, cross fire, denier, desire, entire, for hire, fox fire, Greek fire, grey friar, hang fire, hellfire, live wire, on fire, prior, rimfire, sapphire, sea fire, snow tire, town crier, trip wire, umpire, watch fire, white friar