inquiring

[ in-kwahyuh r-ing ]
/ ɪnˈkwaɪər ɪŋ /

adjective

seeking facts, information, or knowledge: an inquiring mind.
curious; probing; inquisitive in seeking facts: an inquiring reporter.
scrutinizing; questioning: He looked at his father with inquiring eyes.

Origin of inquiring

First recorded in 1595–1605; inquire + -ing2

OTHER WORDS FROM inquiring

in·quir·ing·ly, adverb non·in·quir·ing, adjective non·in·quir·ing·ly, adverb un·in·quir·ing, adjective

Definition for inquiring (2 of 2)

inquire
[ in-kwahyuhr ]
/ ɪnˈkwaɪər /

verb (used without object), in·quired, in·quir·ing.

to seek information by questioning; ask: to inquire about a person.
to make investigation (usually followed by into): to inquire into the incident.

verb (used with object), in·quired, in·quir·ing.

to seek to learn by asking: to inquire a person's name.
Obsolete. to seek.
Obsolete. to question (a person).

Verb Phrases

inquire after, to ask about the state of health or condition of: Friends have been calling all morning to inquire after you.
Also enquire.

Origin of inquire

1250–1300; Middle English < Latin inquīrere to seek for (see in-2, query); replacing Middle English enqueren < Old French enquerre < Latin, as above

SYNONYMS FOR inquire

1–3 investigate, examine, query. Inquire, ask, question imply that a person addresses another to obtain information. Ask is the general word: to ask what time it is. Inquire is more formal and implies asking about something specific: to inquire about a rumor. To question implies repetition and persistence in asking; it often applies to legal examination or investigation: to question the survivor of an accident. Sometimes it implies doubt: to question a figure, an account.

OTHER WORDS FROM inquire

in·quir·a·ble, adjective in·quir·er, noun re·in·quire, verb, re·in·quired, re·in·quir·ing. un·in·quired, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH inquire

inquirer inquisitor

Example sentences from the Web for inquiring

British Dictionary definitions for inquiring (1 of 2)

inquiring
/ (ɪnˈkwaɪərɪŋ) /

adjective

seeking or tending to seek answers, information, etc an inquiring mind

Derived forms of inquiring

inquiringly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for inquiring (2 of 2)

inquire

enquire

/ (ɪnˈkwaɪə) /

verb

  1. to seek information; askshe inquired his age; she inquired about rates of pay
  2. (foll by of) to ask (a person) for informationI'll inquire of my aunt when she is coming
(intr often foll by into) to make a search or investigation

Derived forms of inquire

inquirer or enquirer, noun

Word Origin for inquire

C13: from Latin inquīrere from in- ² + quaerere to seek