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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
A number of readers have inquired as to the status of garden soil or landscaped ground following a fire. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2025 During the fundraising process, potential investors inquired about future scarcity, but the team reassured that there is ample excess stock that is decades old and in near-pristine condition — and that’s just in the French warehouses. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 6 Feb. 2025 Following her ruling, Boardman inquired whether the government intended to appeal her decision. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 Despite his six-year run with Davis coming to an end, James is expected to remain in Los Angeles past the deadline, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, who also reported Golden State inquired about the all-time great at last year’s trade deadline, before James possessed his current no-trade clause. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for inquire 

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 16 Feb. 2025.

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
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