inquire

verb

in·​quire in-ˈkwī(-ə)r How to pronounce inquire (audio)
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 fateThomas Gray
2
: to search into : investigate
inquirer noun
inquiringly adverb
Phrases
inquire after
: to ask about the health of
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 Another inquired about whether the hospital visit was related to her chronic illnesses, which include lupus and the rare type of T-cell disorder that she was diagnosed with in 2022. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2024 Chris Vannini of The Athletic inquired if Ms. Grant was asked to be in the documentary. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 Landi inquired if the director had any footage of what had transpired following Chiles’ floor performance and ended up receiving a video that contained footage from the three cameras Religion of Sport had at the event, as well as from NBC’s live broadcast and a running clock. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2024 But even with all that extra capacity, Wales said her group still expects to be able to schedule only just over 50% of people who inquire. Bram Sable-Smith, NPR, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inquire 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inquire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of inquire was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near inquire

Cite this Entry

“Inquire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquire. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

inquire

verb
in·​quire in-ˈkwī(ə)r How to pronounce inquire (audio)
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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on inquire

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!