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

• 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

Reports suggested that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones inquired about Crosby’s availability, as the Raiders sit at 2-5 this season. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025

So far, 22 students have inquired about the program, and six have been accepted. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025

Skyler Talbot from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office declined to discuss the dismissal of the case Friday, citing the potential for charges to be re-filed, but said his office issued a press release about the arrest only after dozens of media outlets nationwide had inquired. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025

So much so, in fact, that Payton told reporters after the cutdown to 53 players in August that three teams called to inquire about trading for Crum. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025

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

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