Definitions for inquiry
ɪnˈkwaɪər i, ˈɪn kwə riin·qui·ry

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.3 / 8 votes

1. inquiry, enquiry, researchnoun

   a search for knowledge

   "their pottery deserves more research than it has received"

2. question, inquiry, enquiry, query, interrogationnoun

   an instance of questioning

   "there was a question about my training"; "we made inquiries of all those who were present"

3. inquiry, enquirynoun

   a systematic investigation of a matter of public interest

WiktionaryRate this definition:4.0 / 5 votes

1. inquirynoun

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

2. inquirynoun

   Search for truth, information, or knowledge; examination of facts or principles; research; investigation; as, physical inquiries.

3. Etymology: enquery, from the verb enquerre, from inquiro. Later respelled to conform to the original Latin spelling, as opposed to the Old French spelling.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Inquirynoun

   Etymology: from inquire.

   1. Interrogation; search by question.

   The men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate. Acts x. 17.

   2. Examination; search.

   This exactness is absolutely necessary in inquiries after philosophical knowledge, and in controversies about truth. John Locke.

   As to the inquiry about liberty, I think the question is not proper, whether the will be free, but whether a man be free. John Locke.

   I have been engaged in physical inquiries. John Locke.

   It is a real inquiry, concerning the nature of a bird, or a bat, to make their yet imperfect ideas of it more complete. John Locke.

   Judgment or opinion, in a remoter sense, may be called invention: as when a judge or a physician makes an exact inquiry into any cause. Nehemiah Grew, Cosmol. Sac.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Inquiry

   An inquiry (also spelled as enquiry in British English) is any process that has the aim of augmenting knowledge, resolving doubt, or solving a problem. A theory of inquiry is an account of the various types of inquiry and a treatment of the ways that each type of inquiry achieves its aim.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:2.7 / 3 votes

1. Inquirynoun

   the act of inquiring; a seeking for information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning

2. Inquirynoun

   search for truth, information, or knoledge; examination into facts or principles; research; invextigation; as, physical inquiries

FreebaseRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. Inquiry

   An inquiry is any process that has the aim of augmenting knowledge, resolving doubt, or solving a problem. A theory of inquiry is an account of the various types of inquiry and a treatment of the ways that each type of inquiry achieves its aim.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Inquiry

   Inquiry vs. Enquiry -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Inquiry and Enquiry.

2. Inquiry

   Enquiry vs. Inquiry -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Enquiry and Inquiry.

Matched Categories

1. • Investigation
   • Problem Solving
   • Questioning

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'inquiry' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2855

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'inquiry' in Nouns Frequency: #1043

How to pronounce inquiry?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say inquiry in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of inquiry in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of inquiry in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of inquiry in a Sentence

1. Adam Schiff:

   As one witness put it during our impeachment inquiry, the United States aids Ukraine and her people so that we can fight Russia over there, and we dont have to fight Russia here, the presidents misconduct can not be decided at the ballot box, for we can not be assured that the vote will be fairly won.

2. Margrethe Vestager:

   With this sector inquiry my aim is to determine how widespread these barriers are and what effects they have on competition and consumers. If they are anti-competitive we will not hesitate to take enforcement action under EU antitrust rules.

3. Carl Tobias:

   It sounds to me like the judge is leaning toward the House and favoring a broad claim to investigate and conduct oversight generally and Trump's business dealings specifically, scholars and courts have said Congress has broad oversight authority and Trump's apparent use of his office to profit is a legitimate focus of inquiry.

4. Mark Ko:

   With regards to your inquiry on my involvement with Michael Cohen, I was brought in as business consultant and translator between Michael Cohen and Korea Aerospace Industries, the relationship officially ended on November 2017.

5. Pascal Fauret:

   From the moment when justice does not conduct an inquiry, does not listen to us ... I am sorry but my instinct is to return to my country where I can tell my story to the courts.

Popularity rank by frequency of use