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.
Ohio and Florida, on the other hand, have their own state-specific hotlines (OHIO-VOTE (866-644-6868) and 833-868-3331 respectively) where voters can call and inquire about the status of their provisional ballot. Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 3 Nov. 2024 In September, four teams inquired about trading for Young after he was benched, according to Fox’s Jay Glazer, but were told Carolina would not consider a trade. Andrew Greif, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2024 Question: Some of our workers have inquired about wearing Halloween costumes to work. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 Gun company warranty cards often asked detailed personal questions of their customers Various manufacturers inquired about customers’ major life events, annual income, education and occupation. Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 24 Oct. 2024 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 24 Nov. 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!