inquire
(redirected from inquired)Also found in: Thesaurus, Idioms.
in·quire
(ĭn-kwīr′)v. in·quired, in·quir·ing, in·quires
v.intr.
1. To seek information by asking a question: inquired about prices.
2. To make an inquiry or investigation: inquire into the extent of the corruption.
v.tr.
Phrasal Verb: 1. To ask, especially politely or formally: The host inquired why we were leaving so soon. See Synonyms at ask.
2. To ask questions about (something); investigate or analyze: economists inquiring whether markets behave differently during a recession.
inquire after
To ask about the health or condition of (someone).
[Middle English enquiren, from Old French enquerre, from Vulgar Latin *inquaerere, alteration of Latin inquīrere : in-, into; see in-2 + quaerere, to seek.]
in·quir′er n.
in·quir′ing·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
inquire
(ɪnˈkwaɪə) orenquire
vb
1.
a. to seek information; ask: she inquired his age; she inquired about rates of pay.
b. (foll by of) to ask (a person) for information: I'll inquire of my aunt when she is coming.
2. (often foll by: into) to make a search or investigation
[C13: from Latin inquīrere from in-2 + quaerere to seek]
inˈquirer, enˈquirer n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
in•quire
(ɪnˈkwaɪər)also enquire
v. -quired, -quir•ing. v.i.
1. to seek information by questioning; ask: to inquire about a person.
2. to make investigation (usu. fol. by into): to inquire into the incident.
v.t. 3. to seek to learn by asking: to inquire a person's name.
4. inquire after, to ask about the well-being of (someone not present).
[1425–75; late Middle English < Latin inquīrere to search out, investigate =in- in-2 + quaerere to seek; replacing Middle English enqueren < Old French enquerre < Medieval Latin *inquarere]
in•quir′a•ble, adj.
in•quir′er, n.
in•quir′ing•ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
inquire
– enquire – ask1. 'inquire' and 'enquire'
If you inquire or enquire about something, you ask for information about it. There is no difference in meaning between these words. Inquire is more common, especially in American English.
We inquired about the precise circumstances surrounding the arrest.
I enquired about the scenery and Beaumont told me it was being built in a carpenter's shop in Waterloo.
You can use inquire or enquire with a 'wh'-clause.
She inquired how Ibrahim was getting on.
I enquired what kind of aircraft he had commanded before returning home.
In writing, inquire and enquire are sometimes used in quote structures.
'Anything you need?' inquired the girl.
'Who compiles these reports?' Philip enquired.
Be Careful!
You do not use these verbs with a direct object. You do not say, for example, 'He inquired her if she was well'.
2. 'ask'
Inquire and enquire are fairly formal words. In conversation, people usually use ask. Ask can be used with or without a direct object.
She asked about his work.
I asked him what he wanted.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
inquire
Past participle: inquired
Gerund: inquiring
| Imperative |
|---|
| inquire |
| inquire |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Verb | 1. |  inquire - inquire about; "I asked about their special today"; "He had to ask directions several times"communicate, intercommunicate - transmit thoughts or feelings; "He communicated his anxieties to the psychiatrist" ask - direct or put; seek an answer to; "ask a question" pry - be nosey; "Don't pry into my personal matters!" confer with, consult - get or ask advice from; "Consult your local broker"; "They had to consult before arriving at a decision" ask - address a question to and expect an answer from; "Ask your teacher about trigonometry"; "The children asked me about their dead grandmother" |
| 2. | inquire - have a wish or desire to know something; "He wondered who had built this beautiful church" request - inquire for (information); "I requested information from the secretary" | |
| 3. | inquire - conduct an inquiry or investigation of; "The district attorney's office investigated reports of possible irregularities"; "inquire into the disappearance of the rich old lady" spy - secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage; "spy for the Russians" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
inquire
enquireverb ask, question, query, quiz, seek information of, request information of He inquired whether there had been any messages left for him.
inquire into something investigate, study, examine, consider, research, search, explore, look into, inspect, probe into, scrutinize, make inquiries into Inspectors inquired into the affairs of the company.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
inquire
also enquireverb
2. To go into or through for the purpose of making discoveries or acquiring information:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
dotázat seinformovat seinformovat se napoptávat se popozeptat se na
efterforskeforespørgeforhøre sigforhøre sig omspørge
demandi
tiedustella
pitatiupitati
megérdeklődikvizsgálatot folytat
grennslast fyrir umgrennslast fyrir um, rannsakaspyrja umspyrjast fyrir um
問い合わせる尋ねる
문의하다
klausimaspasiteirautiteiravimasis
apjautātiesievākt ziņasjautātpētīt
informovať sapýtať savypytovať savyšetrovať
poizvedovatipreiskovativprašati
efterfrågafråga
ไต่ถามถามคำถาม
hỏi thông tintìm hiểu
inquire
[ɪnˈkwaɪəʳ]A. VT → preguntar
to inquire sth of sb → preguntar algo a algn
to inquire when/whether → preguntar cuándo/si ...
he inquired the price → preguntó cuánto costaba
to inquire sth of sb → preguntar algo a algn
to inquire when/whether → preguntar cuándo/si ...
he inquired the price → preguntó cuánto costaba
B. VI → preguntar
to inquire about sth → preguntar por algo, informarse de algo
I am inquiring about your advertisement in today's paper (by phone) → llamo para preguntar acerca de su anuncio en el periódico de hoy
to inquire after or for or about sb → preguntar por algn
she inquired after your health → preguntó por tu salud, preguntó qué tal andabas de salud
to inquire into sth → investigar or indagar algo
I shouldn't inquire too closely if I were you → yo que tú no haría demasiadas preguntas
"inquire within" → infórmese en el interior
"inquire at No. 14" → razón: en el no 14
to inquire about sth → preguntar por algo, informarse de algo
I am inquiring about your advertisement in today's paper (by phone) → llamo para preguntar acerca de su anuncio en el periódico de hoy
to inquire after or for or about sb → preguntar por algn
she inquired after your health → preguntó por tu salud, preguntó qué tal andabas de salud
to inquire into sth → investigar or indagar algo
I shouldn't inquire too closely if I were you → yo que tú no haría demasiadas preguntas
"inquire within" → infórmese en el interior
"inquire at No. 14" → razón: en el no 14
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
inquire
[ɪnˈkwaɪər] vi → se renseigner
If you need help, inquire within → Si vous avez besoin d'aide, renseignez-vous à l'intérieur.
to inquire about sth → se renseigner sur qch
I'm going to inquire about train times → Je vais me renseigner sur les horaires des trains.
If you need help, inquire within → Si vous avez besoin d'aide, renseignez-vous à l'intérieur.
to inquire about sth → se renseigner sur qch
I'm going to inquire about train times → Je vais me renseigner sur les horaires des trains.
vt → demander, s'enquérir (formal)
"Is something wrong?" he inquired → "Quelque chose ne va pas?" demanda-t-il., "Quelque chose ne va pas?" s'enquit-t-il.
to inquire when ... → demander quand ...
to inquire where ... → demander où ...
to inquire whether ... → demander si ...
to inquire after sb's health → s'enquérir de la santé de qn
A commission has been set up to inquire into allegations of government abuses of power → Une commission a été nommée pour enquêter sur des allégations d'abus de pouvoir de la part du gouvernement.
"Is something wrong?" he inquired → "Quelque chose ne va pas?" demanda-t-il., "Quelque chose ne va pas?" s'enquit-t-il.
to inquire when ... → demander quand ...
to inquire where ... → demander où ...
to inquire whether ... → demander si ...
inquire after
vt fus [+ person] → s'enquérir de, demander des nouvelles deto inquire after sb's health → s'enquérir de la santé de qn
inquire into
vt fus [+ death] → enquêter sur; [+ allegation, complaint] → enquêter surA commission has been set up to inquire into allegations of government abuses of power → Une commission a été nommée pour enquêter sur des allégations d'abus de pouvoir de la part du gouvernement.
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
inquire
, enquirevt the time, a name, the way → sich erkundigen nach, fragen nach; to inquire something of somebody → sich bei jdm nach etw erkundigen; he inquired what/whether/when etc … → er erkundigte sich or fragte, was/ob/wann etc …
vi → sich erkundigen (about nach), fragen (about nach, wegen); “inquire within” → „Näheres im Geschäft“
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
inquire
[ɪnˈkwaɪəʳ]1. vt to inquire when/where/whether → domandare quando/dove/se
to inquire sth of sb → domandare qc a qn
to inquire sth of sb → domandare qc a qn
2. vi to inquire (about sth) → informarsi (di or su qc), chiedere informazioni (su qc)
inquire after vi + prep (person) → chiedere di; (sb's health) → informarsi di
inquire into vi + prep → indagare su, svolgere delle indagini su
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
inquire,
enquire
(inˈkwaiə) verb1. to ask. He inquired the way to the art gallery; She inquired what time the bus left.
2. (with about) to ask for information about. They inquired about trains to London.
3. (with after) to ask for information about the state of (eg a person's health). He enquired after her mother.
4. (with for) to ask to see or talk to (a person). Someone rang up inquiring for you, but you were out.
5. (with for) to ask for (goods in a shop etc). Several people have been inquiring for the new catalogue.
6. (with into) to try to discover the facts of. The police are inquiring into the matter.
inˈquiry ( American also ˈinkwəri) , enˈquiry (American also ˈenkwəri) – plural inquiries, ~enquiries – noun1. (an act of) asking or investigating. His inquiries led him to her hotel; (also adjective) All questions will be dealt with at the inquiry desk.
2. an investigation. An inquiry is being held into her disappearance.
make inquiries to ask for information.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
inquire
→ يَسْأَلُ عَنْ, يَسْتَعْلِمُ عَنْ dotázat se, informovat se forespørge erkundigen (sich) διευρενώ, ερευνώ indagar, inquirir tiedustella demander pitati, upitati chiedere, domandare 問い合わせる, 尋ねる 문의하다 navragen forespørre, spørre dowiedzieć się, zasięgnąć informacji averiguar, informar-se осведомляться, спрашивать efterfråga, fråga ไต่ถาม, ถามคำถาม araştırmak, soruşturmak hỏi thông tin, tìm hiểu 查究, 询问Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009