Inquire Definition

ĭn-kwīr
inquired, inquires, inquiring
verb
inquired, inquires, inquiring
To seek information; ask a question or questions.
Webster's New World
To seek information about.
To inquire the way.
Webster's New World
To carry out an examination or investigation.
Webster's New World
To ask, especially politely or formally.
The host inquired why we were leaving so soon.
American Heritage
To ask questions about (something); investigate or analyze.
Economists inquiring whether markets behave differently during a recession.
American Heritage
Antonyms:
idiom
inquire after
  • to pay respects by asking about the health of
Webster's New World
inquire for
  • to ask to see (someone)
  • to try to get by asking
Webster's New World

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Inquire

Origin of Inquire

  • Middle English enquiren from Old French enquerre from Vulgar Latin inquaerere alteration of Latin inquīrere in- into in–2 quaerere to seek

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin inquīrō (“to seek for”). Displaced Middle English enqueren (from Old French enquerre, of the same source) and native Old English speir (“ask, inquire”).

    From Wiktionary

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