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

Anyone with the cash can go drop $30,000 on a pre-owned Daytona, but vanishingly few people out of many millions who inquire each year will become first owners of a Rolex Daytona at retail pricing. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 11 July 2024

Johansson inquired about Jost, 42, secured the new gig after host Savannah Guthrie mentioned the Saturday Night Live comedian is helping NBC Sports cover Olympic surfing competitions from the island of Tahiti, in the South Pacific Ocean. —Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 9 July 2024

Each features a short narrative video in which an inquiring off-screen voice questions an actor playing a character from the unspecified future, who is suffering assorted consequences of the climate catastrophe. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2024

Hostin's cohosts took note of the change, with her 81-year-old cohost, Joy Behar, even inquiring about the style during a separate chat. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 26 June 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 after
• 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