inquire

verb

in·quire | \ in-ˈkwī(-ə)r

inquired; inquiring

Definition of inquire

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

inquire after

: to ask about the health of

Other Words from inquire Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about inquire

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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

The star didn't detail whether any of his upcoming shots might include Lili Reinhart, but one Riverdale cast member inquired about working with Cole. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Mark Consuelos Asked "Riverdale" Costar Cole Sprouse to Take His Headshot," 21 Dec. 2018 The detective got a court order for a pen register instead of inquiring about CSLI data; requesting a pen register is not the same thing as forcing a phone company to hand over CSLI data. — Cyrus Farivar, Ars Technica, "“Get a warrant”—Florida appeals court admonishes cops in two murder cases," 8 Sep. 2018 Yet, according to Kwatinetz, al-Rumaihi persistently brought up Bannon’s name and inquired about wanting to meet with him. — Edvard Pettersson, Bloomberg.com, "Ice Cube's Big3 Investors Seek to End Suit Over Qatar Plot," 20 June 2018 Hupp helped search for multiple apartments for the administrator over a period of months, as well as booked his private travel and inquired about the availability of a mattress at discounted cost from the Trump International Hotel in Washington. — chicagotribune.com, "EPA's Scott Pruitt enlisted security detail in picking up dry cleaning, moisturizing lotion," 7 June 2018 Our project, for example, has resulted in $45,107 in medical bills being reversed after Vox began inquiring about those charges. — Sarah Kliff, Vox, "I read 1,182 emergency room bills this year. Here’s what I learned.," 18 Dec. 2018 During the board meeting, Kreklow did not disclose the developer inquiring about a potential facility. — Tyler Langan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Developer inquires about 700,000-square-foot industrial site in Germantown," 5 Apr. 2018 Every timeout, Hornets coach Steve Clifford inquired whether Walker needed a rest. — Rick Bonnell, charlotteobserver, "‘I ain’t coming out!’ With Kobe-like zeal, Kemba Walker wills Hornets to a win.," 2 Feb. 2018 Police chief Georges Gorski inquires into the death of a successful lawyer who crashed his car, supposedly while returning from a weekly dinner with colleagues. — Tom Nolan, WSJ, "Mysteries: Best of 2018," 7 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inquire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.