inquire

UK: /ɪnˈkwaɪə^r/ US: /ɪnˈkwaɪr/ ,(in kwī^ər′)

Inflections of 'inquire' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

inquires

v 3rd person singular

inquiring

v pres p

inquired

v past

inquired

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•quire /ɪnˈkwaɪr/  also enquire, v., -quired, -quir•ing. 

1. to seek information by questioning;
   ask: [no object]
   to inquire about a person.
   [~ + object]
   to inquire a person's name.
   [used with quotations]
   "Why are you searching for that planet?'' he inquired.
2. to make an investigation:
   [~ + into + object] decided to inquire further into the incident.
3. inquire after, [~ + object] to ask about the health of (someone not present):
   politely inquired after each other's families.

in•quir•er, n. [countable] See -quir-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•quire  (in kwī^ər′), v., -quired, -quir•ing. 
v.i. 

1. to seek information by questioning;
   ask:
   to inquire about a person.
2. to make investigation (usually fol. by into):
   to inquire into the incident.

v.t. 

3. to seek to learn by asking:
   to inquire a person's name.
4. [Obs.] to seek.
5. [Obs.] to question (a person).
6. inquire after, to ask about the state of health or condition of:
   Friends have been calling all morning to inquire after you.

Also, enquire. 

• Latin, as above
• Old French enquerre
• Latin inquīrere to seek for (see in-², query); replacing Middle English enqueren
• Middle English 1250–1300

in•quir′a•ble, adj. 
in•quir′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. –3. investigate, examine, query.
  Inquire, ask, question imply that a person addresses another to obtain information.
  Ask is the general word:
  to ask what time it is.
  Inquire is more formal and implies asking about something specific:
  to inquire about a rumor.
  To question implies repetition and persistence in asking; it often applies to legal examination or investigation:
  to question the survivor of an accident.
  Sometimes it implies doubt:
  to question a figure, an account.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

inquire, enquire / ɪnˈkwaɪə/ verb

1. to seek information; ask: she inquired his age, she inquired about rates of pay
2. (followed by of) to ask (a person) for information: I'll inquire of my aunt when she is coming
3. (intransitive) often followed by into: to make a search or investigation

Etymology: 13th Century: from Latin inquīrere from in-² + quaerere to seek

inˈquirer, enˈquirer noun