inquire

in-quire · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To ask for information about something.

  2. 2.

    To investigate or look into something formally.

Phrases & expressions

  • inquire after — to ask about someone's health or well-being
  • inquire within — (on signs) ask inside for more information

Related words

Antonyms: answer, reply, respond
See also: ask, inquiry, investigate

Etymology

From Latin inquirere ("to seek for, search into"), from in- ("into") + quaerere ("to seek"). The spelling "inquire" is more common in American English, while "enquire" is often preferred in British English for the sense of asking questions.