inquire

verb

in·​quire in-ˈkwī(-ə)r 

inquired; inquiring

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

transitive verb

1

: to ask about

some kindred spirit shall inquire thy fate

—Thomas Gray

2

: to search into : investigate

inquirer noun

inquiringly

in-ˈkwī-riŋ-lē 

adverb

Phrases

inquire after

: to ask about the health of

Synonyms

• delve (into)
• dig (into)
• examine
• explore
• investigate
• look (into)
• probe
• research

Choose the Right Synonym for inquire

ask, question, interrogate, query, inquire mean to address a person in order to gain information.

ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions.

began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

Examples of inquire in a Sentence

When I inquired, they told me she was not here.

We inquired the way to the station.

“So, what do you want?” he inquired.

Recent Examples on the Web

That said, he’s had many clients inquire about the new rule with some already closing deals. —Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

There are more subtle ways to inquire about a person’s financial situation. —Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2024

Ahead of the release of Harris' medical report, ABC News had also inquired about the records for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Harris and Trump's running mates, respectively. —Fritz Farrow, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2024

When the war ended, Adalbert wrote to the storage company to inquire about the family’s possessions. —Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing inquire

• inquire into
• inquire of

Kids Definition

inquire

verb

in·​quire in-ˈkwī(ə)r 

inquired; inquiring

1

: to ask about

inquired the way to the train station

2

: to make an investigation

inquire into the accident

3

: to ask a question

inquired about the weather

inquirer noun

inquiringly

-ˈkwī-riŋ-lē 

adverb