Word
inquire
Phoneticsin·quire, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈkwaɪɹ/
UK/ɪnkwˈaɪə/
Definitions
01to ask for information
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to ask someone for information about something.
v. to seek information by questioning; often used with 'about', 'after', or 'into'.
“I called the hotel to inquire about the price of a double room.”
“The journalist contacted the press office to inquire about the recent changes to the company's environmental policy.”
02to investigate
C1 · Advanced Formal · Academic
v. to look into something carefully to find the truth or the facts.
v. to conduct a formal investigation or systematic study into a matter.
“A special committee was formed to inquire into the cause of the accident.”
“The commission was mandated to inquire into the systemic failures that led to the financial crisis.”
Synonyms
Usage
Often followed by the prepositions 'about', 'into', or 'after'.
Pitfall
I inquired him the price.
I inquired about the price.
Inquire is usually intransitive or followed by a preposition; it does not take a person as a direct object like 'ask' does.
Real-World Examples
“Each time Rachelle inquired, Skoloda gently evaded the question.” “John Craggs says he inquired about help, but found he did not qualify.” Etymology
From Latin inquīrō (“to seek for”), composed of in- (“in, at, on; into”) + quaerō (“I seek, look for”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”). Displaced Middle English enqueren (from Old French enquerre, of the same source) and native Middle English speir (“ask, inquire”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/inquire