DictionaryAI

inquire

verb
in-KWYR/ɪnˈkwaɪɹ/UKin-KWY-uh/ɪnˈkwaɪə/

Formsinquires, inquiring, inquired

UK spellingenquire

3 meanings of inquire

Practice

  1. 1
    verbAustraliaCanadaUStransitive or intransitive
    To ask someone for information about something.

    Like asking a question when you want to find something out.

    Travelers often inquire about delays at the help desk.

    He inquired politely after her health.

    Similarask

    Oppositeanswer, reply

    Note
  2. 2
    verbtransitive or intransitive
    To try to find out the truth by looking carefully into something.

    Like a detective looking for clues to learn what really happened.

    The committee will inquire into the cause of the accident.

    Officials inquired into how the money was spent.

    Similarprobe, delve, look, investigate

    Note
  3. 3
    verbobsoletetransitive or intransitive
    To call someone or something by a name.
    Canute had his portion from the rest, The which he cald Canutium, for his hyre, Now Cantium, which Kent we commenly inquire.
    1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, inquire means to call or name, so we call the place Kent.
    Note

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Origin

From Latin inquīrō "to seek for," made from in- "into" plus quaerō "I seek, look for."