Word
Definition
v. to ask for information about something. It is a more formal way to say 'ask'.
v. to seek information by questioning; to make an inquiry. Often used in formal or professional correspondence to initiate a request for details.
Examples
“I called the hotel to enquire about the room rates.”
“The customer wrote to the company to enquire whether the product was still under warranty.”
“Prospective students are encouraged to enquire about the specific entry requirements for the doctoral program before submitting their final applications to the admissions office.”
Examples
simple
“I called the hotel to enquire about the room rates.”
contextual
“The customer wrote to the company to enquire whether the product was still under warranty.”
complex
“Prospective students are encouraged to enquire about the specific entry requirements for the doctoral program before submitting their final applications to the admissions office.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “enquire” in context.
Verb
01. enquire about the availability
“I am writing to enquire about the availability of tickets for the upcoming gala.”
verb + prep + noun
02. enquire after his health
“It was very kind of you to enquire after his health while he was recovering in the hospital.”
verb + prep + possessive + noun
03. enquire within for details
“The shop window displayed a 'Help Wanted' sign and advised interested parties to enquire within for details.”
verb + adv + prep + noun
04. politely enquire
“The receptionist politely enquired whether the guest had a reservation.”
adv + verb
Noun
05. right to enquire
“As a shareholder, you have a legitimate right to enquire into the company's financial dealings.”
noun + infinitive
Preposition
06. enquire into the matter
“The committee has been appointed to enquire into the matter of the missing funds.”
verb + prep + noun
Usage
The verb is intransitive when followed by a prepositional phrase, typically taking 'about' or 'after'.
Pitfall
enquire about the price?
May I enquire about the price?
Enquire is highly formal; using it in casual conversation or without a polite modal verb can sound unnaturally stiff.
Real-World Examples
“I find it incredible that no one in all these years has stopped to enquire how I felt when making the most celebrated eulogy in the history of mankind.” “Fret no longer, enquiring young minds: John Lewis has the answer on its packing checklist for students .” Etymology
From Old French enquerre, from en- + querre (“to search, to look for”), from Latin quaerere, of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/enquire
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0