enquire

Enquire is a verb meaning to ask for information or to investigate something by questioning. It is commonly used in British English and other varieties influenced by it. The related noun forms are enquiry (British) and inquiry (American), and the agent noun is enquirer (British) or inquirer (American). The verb has two spellings: enquire and inquire, with usage differences that are often guided by regional preference and formality.

Etymology and origins trace the word to Middle English enqueren, from Old French enquere, enquerre, which themselves derive from the Latin inquirere, meaning to seek, examine, or investigate. The word has long carried a sense of seeking information through questioning or examination.

Usage and distinctions: In everyday language, enquire tends to cover asking for information, while inquire can carry a more formal or official sense of investigation. In practice, many editors treat enquire and inquire as interchangeable, especially outside formal contexts. In American English, inquire is more common across both general and formal uses, whereas British English tends to prefer enquire for general questions and inquire for more formal investigations in some contexts. The nouns follow the same regional patterns: enquiry with enquirer in British usage, inquiry with inquirer in American usage.

See also: inquiry, question, investigate, request for information.