From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishinquirein‧quire, enquire /ɪnˈkwaɪə $ -ˈkwaɪr/ ●○○ verb [intransitive, transitive] formal ASK A QUESTIONto ask someone for information ‘Why are you doing that?’ the boy inquired.inquire about I am writing to inquire about your advertisement in ‘The Times’.inquire whether/why/how etc The waiter inquired whether we would like to sit near the window.inquire something of somebody ‘Where’s the station?’ she inquired of a passer-by. Toby would have liked to inquire further (=ask more questions).► see thesaurus at ask —inquirer noun [countable] → inquire after somebody/something → inquire into something→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
inquire• "Did you ever raise money illegally?" the interviewer inquired.• Several people have phoned the personnel department to inquire about the position.• We inquired at all the hotels in town, but we couldn't find Carol anywhere.• We rang the hospital again to inquire how the old man was.inquire further• Arthur inquired further and relayed his findings.• Toby would have liked to inquire further, but had feared a snub at his age and inexperience.From Longman Business Dictionaryinquirein‧quire /ɪnˈkwaɪə-ˈkwaɪr/ (also enquire) verb [intransitive]1to ask someone for informationinquire aboutHundreds of prospective buyers have inquired about the auction.inquire whether/ when/why etcEmployers may not inquire whether an applicant has a disability. —inquirer noun [countable]Make sure you get the inquirer’s name and address.2inquire within used on notices, especially in shop windows, to mean that you can find out more about something insideVacancies — inquire within.→ See Verb tableOrigin inquire (1200-1300) Old French enquerre, from Latin inquirere, from quaerere “to look for” 