Inquiry Meaning
/ɪnˈkwaɪəɹi/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe act of inquiring; a seeking of information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.
nounA search for truth, information, or knowledge; examination of facts or principles; research; investigation; inquest.
Sentence Examples
We have just received an inquiry from Kansas concerning your brother.
This subject is outside the scope of our inquiry.
An inquiry was set up to determine the cause of the accident.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective launched a formal ____ into the suspicious disappearance.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The police have launched a full ____ into the sudden disappearance of the valuable diamond necklace.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English enquery, from the Old French verb enquerre, from Latin inquīrō, composed of in- (“in, at, on; into”) + quaerō (“to seek, look for”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic *kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”). Later respelled to conform to the original Latin spelling, as opposed to the Old French spelling.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Donald Trump has lashed out against his own supporters, calling them gullible “weaklings” for questioning the transparency of a secretive government inquiry into the late high-profile socialite and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein."
— 2025 July 17, Oliver Holmes, “Trump calls Epstein conspiracy a ‘hoax’ and turns on Maga ‘weaklings’”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 10 Aug 2025:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective launched a formal ____ into the suspicious disappearance.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The police have launched a full ____ into the sudden disappearance of the valuable diamond necklace.