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

see also:

inquire after

Synonyms of inquire

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

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

Ripa asked at the time, inquiring about the awkward positioning of snails in the act. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Apr. 2026

The case was resurrected when The Bee inquired about it. —Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Mitchell withdrew his development plans days after The Star inquired about his connections to the village board. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026

Around the same time that officers responded to the hotel, a person visited the Monterey Police Department and inquired about the possible arrest of a family member, who had not come back home that night. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026

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 after
• inquire into
• inquire of

Rhymes for inquire

• admire
• afire
• aspire
• backfire
• esquire
• expire
• haywire
• hellfire
• inspire
• newswire
• perspire
• rehire

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