Inquire is a verb with a few related meanings. It can mean to ask for informationfacts or details someone gives or receives about a topic, to make an investigationcareful examination or inquiry to find facts or discover something, or to express curiositya strong desire to know or learn about something about something. The most common everyday use is asking a question or requesting information.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ɪnˈkwaɪr/
Easy pronunciation: in-KWAIR (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: kwair.
Use this for the verb meaning to ask for information or ask a question expecting an answer.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Inquire Meaning
to ask about something
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to ask for information; to ask a question and expect an answer
Example: I inquired about their special today.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- ask — A direct substitute when inquire means to ask for information.
- enquire — A close spelling and meaning variant, used especially in British English.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Inquire
Meaning 2
to investigate
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to conduct an inquiry or investigation of something
Example: The police inquired into the disappearance of the woman.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- investigate — A genuine substitute when inquire means to examine or investigate.
- enquire — A variant that can fit this sense, depending on usage and dialect.
Meaning 3
to wonder or want to know
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to have a wish or desire to know something
Example: She inquired whether the meeting had been postponed.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- wonder — Works only when inquire means to be curious or want to know, not when it means to ask directly.
- enquire — A variant form that may appear in this sense as well.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Inquire Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- ask
- enquire
to investigate
- investigate
to wonder or want to know
- wonder
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes mix up inquire and enquire, but they are usually just spelling variants.
- Do not use wonder as a synonym when inquire means to ask someone directly.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does inquire mean?
Inquire can mean to ask for information, to investigate something, or to feel curious about something.
What are the synonyms of inquire?
Common synonyms include ask and enquire when it means asking for information, and investigate when it means examining something carefully.
Is inquire the same as enquire?
Yes, they are usually spelling variants. Inquire is more common in American English, while enquire is more common in British English.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
