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

But why they think so has remained subject to inquiry among scholars for the last 40 years.

From Science Daily

Another membership organisation, Family Business UK, says it has been "inundated" by inquiries about membership and advice.

From BBC

He would not go into detail about how investigators reached their conclusion, and referred further questions about the exam to the Personnel Department, which has ignored numerous inquiries.

From Los Angeles Times

After he died in February 2021, the charity watchdog opened an inquiry into the Captain Tom Foundation.

From BBC

On Thursday, the inquiry’s chair, Baroness Hallett, had to occasionally interrupt the hearing to tell bereaved families in the public gallery - some of whom were clearly highly emotional - to lower photographs of their deceased relatives.

From BBC

Related Words

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

Inquiry Vs. Enquiry

What's the difference between inquiry and enquiry?

Inquiry and enquiry have the same meanings: a question, an investigation, a request for information, or the process of seeking information. Enquiry is a less common variant of inquiry.

Their verb forms—inquire and enquire—also mean the same thing: to ask, to seek information, or to investigate.

Both inquiry and enquiry are somewhat formal, especially compared to similar terms like question or investigation. Some speakers of British English may use both words, preferring inquiry in contexts that are more formal. In the U.S., enquiry is rarely used.

Here’s an example of inquiry used correctly in a sentence.

Example: I forwarded you an email with an inquiry about the open position.

Enquiry could be used in this sentence in the same exact way.

Most of these same distinctions apply to the verbs inquire and enquire.

To learn more about them, read the full breakdown of the difference between inquire and enquire.

Quiz yourself on inquiry and enquiry!

True or False?

Inquiry and enquiry have the same meaning.