Library / English Dictionary

INQUIRE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Have a wish or desire to know something

Example:

He wondered who had built this beautiful church

Synonyms:

enquire; inquire; wonder

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "inquire" is one way to...):

query; question (pose a question)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "inquire"):

request (inquire for (information))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s whether INFINITIVE

Derivation:

inquisitive (showing curiosity)

inquisitive (inquiring or appearing to inquire)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Conduct an inquiry or investigation of

Example:

inquire into the disappearance of the rich old lady

Synonyms:

enquire; inquire; investigate

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "inquire" is one way to...):

examine; probe (question or examine thoroughly and closely)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "inquire"):

spy (secretly collect sensitive or classified information; engage in espionage)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

inquiring (a request for information)

inquiry (a systematic investigation of a matter of public interest)

inquisitive (inquiring or appearing to inquire)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Address a question to and expect an answer from

Example:

He had to ask directions several times

Synonyms:

ask; enquire; inquire

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "inquire" is one way to...):

communicate; intercommunicate (transmit thoughts or feelings)

Verb group:

ask (direct or put; seek an answer to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "inquire"):

pry (be nosey)

query; question (pose a question)

interrogate; question (pose a series of questions to)

confer with; consult (get or ask advice from)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody something
Somebody ----s somebody PP
Somebody ----s PP
Somebody ----s whether INFINITIVE

Sentence example:

They inquire whether there was a traffic accident

Derivation:

inquirer (someone who asks a question)

inquiring (a request for information)

inquiry (an instance of questioning)

Credits

 Context examples: 

The terrified general pronounced the name of Allen with an inquiring look; and here too Thorpe had learnt his error.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

I did not inquire why he had not been ashore, nor did he ask why I had not come aboard.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

During the time that Kiche was tied by the stick, he ran about over all the camp, inquiring, investigating, learning.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Please, ma'am, could I inquire if this highly instructive and charming institution is a new one?

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

So he inquired who she was, and got introduced, and asked her for the two next.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

She began by inquiring if they saw much of Mr. Willoughby at Cleveland, and whether they were intimately acquainted with him.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

“You are sure he used a key?” he inquired at last.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“You won't forget?” he inquired anxiously.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

I had left Baden and could not inquire.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“There are some things,” replied the Abbot gravely, “into which it was never intended that we should inquire. But you have a long road before you. Whither will you first turn?”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)