enquire
in-KWY-uhr
Enquire (verb) means to ask someone for information about something. Example: “She rang to enquire about the vacancy.”
verb
1
To ask someone for information about something.
"She rang to enquire about the vacancy."
"He enquired whether the fee included insurance."
2
formal To investigate something formally, usually as part of an official examination of what happened.
"A committee was appointed to enquire into the causes of the collapse."
How to use enquire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo ask for information.
When to use it
Slightly formal; in everyday British speech people usually just say ask.
Memory tip
Both spellings are pronounced identically, so the choice only matters in writing.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
enquire vs inquire
enquiry vs inquiry
Common pairings
enquire about
enquire into
enquire after
please enquire within
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She rang to _____ about the vacancy.
Etymology
From Old French enquerre, from Latin inquirere "to seek into", from in- and quaerere "to seek".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for enquire
See all rhymes for enquire →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between enquire and inquire?
In British usage many writers reserve enquire for ordinary asking and inquire for formal investigations, as in a public inquiry. American English uses inquire for both, and British style guides increasingly accept the two spellings as interchangeable.
Which preposition follows enquire?
Use "about" for asking after information, "after" for asking about someone's health, and "into" for a formal investigation: enquire about the price, enquire after your mother, enquire into the accident.
Is enquiry or inquiry correct?
Both are correct nouns and follow the same split. British writers tend to write an enquiry at a shop counter but a public inquiry into a disaster; Americans write inquiry throughout.
What is the meaning of enquire?
"enquire" (verb) means to ask someone for information about something.
