inquiry
gb/ɪŋkwˈaɪɹi/ us/ɪŋkwˈaɪɹi/
B1
English
~ 2100
érdeklődés, megkeresés, vizsgálat, hatósági vizsgálat, nyomozás
NOUN
B1
1
érdeklődés
B1
megkeresés
B2
Usage pattern:
make an inquiry about [something]
She made an inquiry about the train schedule.
Érdeklődött a vonatmenetrend felől.
The company received several inquiries from potential customers.
A vállalat több megkeresést is kapott lehetséges ügyfelektől.
Police are following up on an inquiry into the missing documents.
I called the office to make an inquiry about job openings.
His inquiry into the matter revealed several irregularities.
Learner examples
I made an inquiry about the price.
Érdeklődtem az ár felől.
He sent an inquiry to the school.
Érdeklődő levelet küldött az iskolának.
They answered my inquiry quickly.
We got an inquiry from a new customer.
She made an inquiry about the bus times.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'inquiry' with 'enquiry'; in American English 'inquiry' is used for both meanings, while in British English 'enquiry' is often used for general requests and 'inquiry' for official investigations.
Meaning
request for information
Collocations
make an inquiry
|respond to an inquiry
|customer inquiry
|police inquiry
|formal inquiry
Synonyms
question (A single request for information; can be less formal than 'inquiry'.)
|
query ('Query' is often used in computing or business contexts.)
Antonyms
answer (Represents the opposite action: giving information instead of requesting it.)
Themes
communication
|business
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The act of asking questions to get information.
An act of asking for information or seeking an explanation about something.
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
hold an inquiry into [something]
The government announced a public inquiry into the disaster.
A kormány nyilvános vizsgálatot jelentett be a katasztrófa ügyében.
A judicial inquiry was launched to examine the allegations.
Bírósági vizsgálat indult az állítások kivizsgálására.
He was called to give evidence at the inquiry.
The inquiry concluded that safety standards had been ignored.
They are demanding an independent inquiry into the corruption scandal.
Learner examples
The police started an inquiry into the crime.
A rendőrség nyomozást indított a bűncselekmény ügyében.
There will be a public inquiry about the accident.
Nyilvános vizsgálat lesz a baleset ügyében.
The inquiry found many problems.
An inquiry was held after the fire.
They asked for an official inquiry.
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'inquiry' for casual questions in contexts requiring 'investigation'. In formal news or legal contexts, 'inquiry' usually means a structured investigation.
Meaning
official investigation
Collocations
public inquiry
|government inquiry
|judicial inquiry
|launch an inquiry
|chair an inquiry
Synonyms
investigation (A general term; 'inquiry' often implies a more formal or official process.)
Antonyms
cover-up (Deliberately hiding facts instead of investigating them.)
Themes
law
|politics
|news
Definition
A formal investigation to find out the facts about something.
A formal process of investigating a matter, usually conducted by an authority or committee to establish facts or gather evidence.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inquiry
IPA
GB/ɪŋkwˈaɪɹi/
US/ɪŋkwˈaɪɹi/
Syllables & stress
in - quiry (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (quiry)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: inquiry
- Plural: inquiries, inquiry
Word family
Forms
inquiries
noun
Core family
inquire
verb B2
Related words
inquirer
noun
inquisitive
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
inquisitively
adverb
Expressions
inquiry mind
1/ɪŋkwˈaɪɹi mˈaɪnd/
fixed phrase
curious and questioning mindset
A mind that likes to ask questions and learn new things.
Examples
- Children naturally have an inquiry mind that drives them to explore.
- Her inquiry mind made her an excellent journalist.
line of inquiry
1/lˈaɪn əv ɪŋkwˈaɪɹi/
fixed phrase
direction of investigation
A specific subject or approach that is being investigated.
Examples
- Detectives are pursuing a new line of inquiry related to the suspect's finances.
- The research team decided to follow a different line of inquiry.
point of inquiry
1/pˈɔɪnt əv ɪŋkwˈaɪɹi/
fixed phrase
formal
stage for questions in meeting
The moment in a meeting when someone asks a question or requests clarification.
Examples
- At this point of inquiry, members may ask about the budget.
- The chair recognized her at the point of inquiry to clarify the figures.