inquire

verb

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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 Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing inquire Learn More About inquire

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 But perhaps the most seamless would be to inquire at the time of booking. — Dianna Mazzone, Allure, 6 May 2022 There are many highly creative ways for a job seeker to inquire about a job opportunity. — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2022 But even for those employers who will inquire about your criminal background, many only want to go back for a specified period of time, usually five to seven years. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2022 Many people who saw it fell in love with it, but most were too busy to inquire as to what was to become of it. — Paul R. Messinger, The Arizona Republic, 31 Mar. 2022 To order season tickets, inquire about the remaining Fall 2021-Spring 2022 Reciprocity Concerts, and learn about becoming a Portage LIVE! — chicagotribune.com, 25 Mar. 2022 Later in the episode, Teddy caught up with Cormac to inquire about what exactly happened in that car. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, PEOPLE.com, 3 Mar. 2022 The Chronicle contacted the largest school districts in each of the Bay Area’s nine counties to inquire whether their policies will change. — Annie Vainshtein, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Mar. 2022 The court did not inquire further into her statements and did not allow Smollett's attorneys to do so, the document states. — NBC News, 26 Feb. 2022 See More

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.