inquire

verb

in·​quire in-ˈkwī(-ə)r How to pronounce inquire (audio)
inquired; inquiring
Synonyms of inquire

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 fate …—Thomas Gray
2
: to search into : investigate
inquirer noun
inquiringly
in-ˈkwī-riŋ-lē How to pronounce inquire (audio)
adverb
see also:
inquire after

Synonyms of inquire

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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.
First, to inquire about the ability of the juror to apply the law, and second, to prohibit that juror from continuing deliberations until the judge can confirm that the juror is able to follow the law. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026 The appeal asked that the court either excuse the juror who was allegedly refusing to follow instructions or inquire further to determine whether the juror could in fact follow the judge's instructions to correctly apply the law. — Carmel Wroth, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026 The meeting cancellation came after The Times inquired with the district about the bidding process. — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Media requests to Zara and its parent company Inditex inquiring whether that will go forward were unreturned Tuesday. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 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

Phrases Containing inquire

Rhymes for inquire

See All Rhymes for inquire

Browse Nearby Words

inquirable
inquire
inquire after
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inquire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inquire. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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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
-ˈkwī-riŋ-lē How to pronounce inquire (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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