inquiry
8 synonyms for inquiry, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A question or request for information.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
enquiry
How to use inquiry
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
make an inquiry
public inquiry
inquiry into
Etymology
From Old French enquerre, from Latin inquirere, "to seek into" — later respelled to match the Latin more closely.
Full origin of inquiry →Frequently asked questions
What does “inquiry” mean?
The word “inquiry” means a question or request for information. In plain terms, a question you ask, or a formal investigation into something.
How do you pronounce “inquiry”?
“Inquiry” is pronounced ihn-KWEYE-uh-ree (/ɪnˈkwaɪ(ə)ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “inquiry” in a sentence?
Here is “inquiry” used in a sentence: “The government launched a public inquiry into the scandal.”
What part of speech is “inquiry”?
“Inquiry” is a noun.
Where does the word “inquiry” come from?
The word “inquiry” comes from Latin. From Old French enquerre, from Latin inquirere, "to seek into" — later respelled to match the Latin more closely.
Is “inquiry” a common word?
“Inquiry” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “inquiry” have?
“Inquiry” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a question or request for information.
What is the difference between "inquiry" and "enquiry"?
Both can mean a question or a formal investigation. In British English, some writers use "enquiry" for a general question and reserve "inquiry" for a formal investigation, while American English uses "inquiry" for both. The distinction is a matter of regional convention rather than a strict rule.
What is the difference between an "inquiry" and an "investigation"?
An inquiry can be as simple as a question or request for information, or it can be a formal investigation into a public or legal matter. An "investigation" almost always implies a detailed, systematic effort to uncover facts. A formal inquiry is a type of investigation, but a casual inquiry is just a question.
What preposition follows "inquiry"?
When it means an investigation, "inquiry" is usually followed by "into," as in "an inquiry into the accident." When it means a request for information, people often use "about," as in "an inquiry about prices."
