inquiry

[ in-kwahyuhr-ee, in-kwuh-ree ]

noun

, plural in·quir·ies.

1. a seeking or request for truth, information, or knowledge.

   Synonyms: exploration, scrutiny, study

2. an investigation, as into an incident:

   a Congressional inquiry into the bribery charges.

3. the act of inquiring or of seeking information by questioning; interrogation.
4. a question; query.

   Antonyms: reply, answer

inquiry

/ ɪnˈkwaɪərɪ /

noun

1. a request for information; a question
2. an investigation, esp a formal one conducted into a matter of public concern by a body constituted for that purpose by a government, local authority, or other organization

Other Words From

• rein·quiry noun plural reinquiries

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquiry¹

First recorded in 1400–50; inquire + -y ³; replacing late Middle English enquery

Synonym Study

See investigation.

Example Sentences

The Justice Department closed its investigation last year without filing charges against Gaetz; the Ethics Committee then opened its own inquiry.

From Salon

That investigation is still ongoing, though Gaetz has stated publicly that he will no longer cooperate with the committee's inquiry.

From Salon

The troubled organisation is currently the subject of a long-running inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal, in which hundreds of sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted after faulty software made it appear money was missing from their accounts.

From BBC

Railton has already told the Post Office inquiry that a new deal was needed for sub-postmasters, to put them at the centre of the business.

From BBC

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told the inquiry on Monday that he didn't feel sub-postmasters were getting appropriate pay for the amount of business they conduct.

From BBC

Related Words

• analysis
• audit
• examination
• hearing
• inspection
• interrogation
• investigation
• probe
• query
• question
• questioning
• request
• research
• scrutiny
• search
• study
• survey