inquiry
gb/ɪŋkwˈaɪɹi/ us/ɪŋkwˈaɪɹi/
B1
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
request for information
The act of asking questions to get information.
Usage pattern:
make an inquiry about [something]
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.
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.)
Collocations
make an inquiry
|respond to an inquiry
|customer inquiry
|police inquiry
|formal inquiry
Themes
communication
|business
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She made an inquiry about the train schedule.
- The company received several inquiries from potential customers.
- 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.
- He sent an inquiry to the school.
- They answered my inquiry quickly.
- We got an inquiry from a new customer.
- She made an inquiry about the bus times.
Noun
formal
B2
action
2
official investigation
A formal investigation to find out the facts about something.
Usage pattern:
hold an inquiry into [something]
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.
Synonyms
investigation (A general term; 'inquiry' often implies a more formal or official process.)
Antonyms
cover-up (Deliberately hiding facts instead of investigating them.)
Collocations
public inquiry
|government inquiry
|judicial inquiry
|launch an inquiry
|chair an inquiry
Themes
law
|politics
|news
Examples
- The government announced a public inquiry into the disaster.
- A judicial inquiry was launched to examine the allegations.
- 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.
- There will be a public inquiry about the accident.
- The inquiry found many problems.
- An inquiry was held after the fire.
- They asked for an official inquiry.
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.