What does "inquiry" mean?

The act of inquiring; a seeking of information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.

What is a synonym for "inquiry"?

Common synonyms include: query, question, research, act of asking, all questions, amassing evidence.

How do you pronounce "inquiry"?

Pronounced //ɪnˈkwaɪəɹi//.

Inquiry

/ɪnˈkwaɪəɹi/ noun

noun ·Common ·High school level

Usage: "Inquiry" is primarily used as a noun. Its central meaning — a search for knowledge — makes it most effective in contexts where precision matters over a more general alternative.

Origin: From Middle English enquery, from the Old French verb enquerre, from Latin inquīrō, composed of in- (“in, at, on; into”) + quaerō (“I seek, look for”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic *kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”). Later respelled to conform to the original Latin spelling, as opposed to the Old French spelling.

Watch out: Because "inquiry" carries multiple meanings across different parts of speech, writers sometimes use it where a more specific word like "enquiry" would be clearer. Check that your intended sense is unmistakable from context.

Definitions

Noun

1
The act of inquiring; a seeking of information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning. countable, uncountable
2
a systematic investigation of a matter of public interest wordnet
3
A search for truth, information, or knowledge; examination of facts or principles; research; investigation; inquest. countable, uncountable
"Scientific inquiry"
4
a search for knowledge wordnet
5
an instance of questioning wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

query question research act of asking all questions amassing evidence

Antonyms

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shibboleth

Example

More examples

"We have just received an inquiry from Kansas concerning your brother."

Etymology

From Middle English enquery, from the Old French verb enquerre, from Latin inquīrō, composed of in- (“in, at, on; into”) + quaerō (“I seek, look for”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic *kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”). Later respelled to conform to the original Latin spelling, as opposed to the Old French spelling.

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