inquiry
ihn-KWEYE-uh-ree
Inquiry (noun) means a question or request for information. Example: “We received several inquiries about the job posting.”
noun
1
A question or request for information.
"We received several inquiries about the job posting."
"Thank you for your inquiry about our opening hours."
"If you have any inquiries, please ask at the front desk."
2
A formal investigation into a matter of public or legal concern.
"The government launched a public inquiry into the scandal."
"The inquiry concluded that safety procedures had been ignored."
"An official inquiry into the fire will report its findings soon."
How to use inquiry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA question you ask, or a formal investigation into something.
UK vs US
British English often distinguishes "enquiry" (a casual question) from "inquiry" (a formal investigation), though usage varies; American English generally uses "inquiry" for both.
Common pairings
make an inquiry
public inquiry
inquiry into
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Word forms
- Plural
- inquiries
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Thank you for your _____ about our opening hours.
Etymology
From Old French enquerre, from Latin inquirere, "to seek into" — later respelled to match the Latin more closely.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for inquiry
See all rhymes for 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."
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