inquire
in-KWY-er
/ɪnˈkwaɪər/
To ask for information; to make an official investigation.
A polite, standard, and formal way of asking questions. It is more formal than 'ask' but less intense than 'interrogate'.
The story behind the word. Formed by combining the Latin prefix 'in-' (into) with 'quaerere' (to seek), the word literally means to 'seek into' something. It entered Middle English through Old French and has remained the standard formal verb for seeking knowledge or truth.
Word relationships
- ask: Ask is common and informal, whereas inquire is formal and professional.
- investigate: Investigate implies a deeper, more systematic search for facts, while inquire can be a simple, single question.
- ignore: To refuse to ask or pay attention to information.
- reply: To provide the answer rather than ask the question.
Commonly confused with
- enquire: Inquire is the preferred spelling in American English for all senses; in British English, 'enquire' is often used for general asking, while 'inquire' is reserved for formal investigations.
Word family
- inquiry (noun): An act of asking for information; an official investigation.
- inquiring (adjective): Showing an interest in learning new things; curious.
Collocations
- inquire about
- inquire within
- inquire politely
Example sentences
- "I called the hotel to inquire about the availability of rooms for the weekend." A polite customer service interaction.
- "A special commission was appointed to inquire into the causes of the train derailment." A formal investigation into an accident.
Memory hook
When you 'inquire', you go 'in' to 'acquire' information. Go in to acquire information.
When not to use
Do not use when you want to imply aggressive or hostile questioning.
Fun facts
- The sign 'Inquire Within' was a staple of 19th-century shopfronts, inviting curious customers to step inside and ask about goods.
Explore more words
inquiry, inquisitive, investigative, probing, questioning, inspect
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