enquiry

IPA/ɪnˈkwaɪəri/
KK[ɪnkwˈaɪrˌi]IPA/ˈɪnkwəri/

enquiry — noun

  • enquirysingular
  • enquiriesplural

1. a question that you ask someone because you want information or an answer about

1.nounB1
Definition

a question that you ask someone because you want information or an answer about something, such as prices, times, or how something works.

Example

Nikhil made an enquiry about weekend train times at the ticket office.

make an enquiry about [topic]

The librarian said she would pass on my enquiry to the research team.

Common collocations
  • make an enquiry
  • have an enquiry
  • receive an enquiry
  • deal with an enquiry
  • enquiry about
  • enquiry regarding
Synonyms
  • question

    Everyday spoken and written use; less formal than enquiry

  • query

    Often used in computing or data contexts (database query); slightly narrower scope

  • request

    Broader — can include asking for actions, not just information

Antonyms
  • answer

    The response that satisfies an enquiry

  • reply

    A direct response to a question or enquiry

Grammar Patterns

make an enquiry about [topic]

have an enquiry about [topic]

Usage Note

Commonly used with 'make', 'have', 'receive', and 'deal with'. The noun can be countable (an enquiry / enquiries) or uncountable when referring to the activity of asking ('Enquiry into the matter is ongoing'). In British English, this sense is traditionally spelled enquiry, while the official-investigation sense (sense 2) takes inquiry — but modern usage frequently blurs the distinction.

Common Mistakes

I have an enquiry about the menu.
I have a question about the menu.
In casual spoken contexts, 'question' is more natural than 'enquiry'. Use 'enquiry' for slightly more formal or written requests.
Please enquiry at reception.
Please make an enquiry at reception.
'Enquiry' is a noun; 'enquire' is the verb form.

2. an official process, usually led by a committee or senior figure, that gathers f

2.nounB2
Definition

an official process, usually led by a committee or senior figure, that gathers facts and evidence to find out why something bad happened or to examine a matter of public concern.

Example

The government has announced a full public enquiry into the train crash.

a public enquiry into [event]

The enquiry found that safety procedures had not been followed properly.

Common collocations
  • public enquiry
  • hold an enquiry
  • launch an enquiry
  • order an enquiry
  • enquiry into
  • enquiry committee
  • findings of the enquiry
Synonyms
  • investigation

    Broader term; can be formal or informal; not limited to public/official contexts

  • inquest

    Specifically a legal inquiry into a death; narrower scope

  • probe

    More informal and journalistic; often suggests aggressive or investigative reporting

  • review

    Less formal than an enquiry; often internal and less public

Grammar Patterns

a(n) [adjective] enquiry into [event]

hold / launch / order an enquiry into

Usage Note

In formal British English, this sense is more commonly spelled inquiry (especially in government and legal contexts). The verb form is usually enquire (general) or inquire (formal/investigation), but the distinction is not strictly observed in modern usage. Subject is typically a government body, company, or authority that orders or conducts the process. Frequently used with 'into' to specify the subject of the investigation.

Common Mistakes

The police made an enquiry into the crime.
The police conducted an inquiry into the crime.
For formal/official investigations, 'conduct an inquiry' or 'hold an inquiry' is preferred over 'make an enquiry'.
I have an enquiry into the accident.
I have a question about the accident.' or 'There is an inquiry into the accident.
Personal questions use 'about'; official investigations use 'into'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words involve asking for something, but they differ in formality, scope, and typical context. 'Enquiry' is the most formal of the group and is preferred in written, professional, and customer-service settings ('We received your enquiry about our services'). 'Question' is the most general and everyday term — it works in casual conversation, classrooms, and interviews alike ('She asked a question about the deadline'). 'Query' is narrower: it often implies a technical or data-related doubt, especially in computing and databases ('The system returned zero results for that query'), though it can also be a polite synonym for 'question' in business emails. 'Request' is broader — it can ask for information, an action, a document, or a favour, not just an answer ('He sent a request for a copy of the report'). To choose between them: use 'question' in speech and informal writing, 'enquiry' for formal written information requests, 'query' for technical or database searches, and 'request' when you want an item or action rather than just an answer.

enquiry ↗question ↗query ↗request ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in response to an enquiry
  • upon enquiry
  • further to your enquiry

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The noun 'enquiry' comes from the verb 'enquire', which entered English through Old French 'enquerre', from Latin 'inquirere' — formed from 'in-' ('into') + 'quaerere' ('to seek, ask'). The spelling with 'e-' (enquiry) became the standard British form from the 18th century onward, while 'inquiry' (with 'i-') remained more common in American English. Although traditional style guides recommended using 'enquiry' for everyday questions and 'inquiry' for official investigations, many modern British writers use the two spellings interchangeably.