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inquire Definition

in·quire (in kwīr′)

intransitive verb -·quired′, -·quir′·ing

  1. to seek information; ask a question or questions
  2. to carry out an examination or investigation: usually with into

Etymology: ME enqueren < OFr enquerre < VL *inquaerere, for L inquirere < in-, into + quaerere, to seek

transitive verb

to seek information about to inquire the way

inquire Related Forms
in·quir′er noun in·quir′·ingly adverb
inquire Idioms

inquire after

to pay respects by asking about the health of

inquire for

  1. to ask to see (someone)
  2. to try to get by asking
inquire Synonyms

inquire

v.

  1. To ask about

    make an inquiry, probe, interrogate, query; see ask 1, question 1.

  2. To seek into

    investigate, analyze, study; see examine 1. See syn. study at ask.

inquire Usage Examples

Preposition: about

  • availability: Booking is essential Artist: Anne Dye Click here to inquire about availability.
  • possibility: Dear Prospective Sponsor I am writing to inquire about the possibility of getting a sponsorship from your business.
  • protection: Proper insurance coverage is one of the first things to ask about when someone inquires about asset protection.

Object

  • mind: To an inquiring mind there always ought to be a deeper explanation to what we see.
  • girl: She is an intelligent, inquiring, personable girl.

Preposition: into

  • matter: In the first essay in this three part work Kant defends the freedom of the philosopher to inquire into matters of religion.
  • circumstance: Can we have a guru appointed to inquire into the circumstances ( why late?
  • state: In 1776 Thorp was appointed to a Committee to inquire into the state of Sir Thomas White's Charity.
  • cause: The Board may make inquires into causes of delay where the target times are exceeded.

Modifying Another Word

  • anxiously: At two o'clock in the morning before we were due to start shooting we were anxiously inquiring what aircraft were due from the east.
  • politely: I'd be standing, rather awkwardly as is my way, and someone would politely inquire as to what denomination I was.
  • about: Part-time contracts is health care policy inquire about their.
  • never: I hope I never inquired within myself whether he did or no.

Used with why or when

  • who: So he inquired who she was, and got introduced, and asked her for the two next.
  • why: Later, the poet in question wrote a stern letter to Adrian to inquire why he'd slipped out.
  • what: Is there nobody to inquire what becomes of the income of the crown lands?
  • where: After he had inquired where I came from, and where I was going, he offered to carry my bag.
  • when: I was also assured that the bike was not restricted when I inquired when I purchased it.

Present participle complement

  • concern: And now let us inquire concerning the pillory and the tumbrel.
inquire Quotes

   Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.One thing have I desired of the L, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the L all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the L, and to inquire in his temple.

—Bible (Old Testament)

Inquire often, but judge rarely, and thou wilt not often be mistaken.

—Penn,William

Myadvicetoyou isnottoinquire whyor whither, but just enjoy your ice-creamwhileit's onyour plate,öthat'smy philosophy.

—Wilder,Thornton Niven