To inquire means to ask questions in order to learn something or gather information. When you inquire about something, you're seeking knowledge or details, often with a specific purpose in mind.

A scientist might inquire into the causes of a disease, conducting experiments to find answers. A detective inquires into a crime by interviewing witnesses and examining evidence. When your parents inquire about your day at school, they're asking questions because they genuinely want to understand what happened.

The word suggests thoughtful, purposeful questioning rather than casual curiosity. If you simply wonder what time the movie starts, you might ask. But if you inquire at the theater about showtimes, ticket prices, and whether seats are still available, you're gathering information more systematically.

An inquiry is the act of inquiring or an investigation. A formal inquiry might examine why a bridge collapsed or how a company spent its money. The related word inquisitive describes someone who loves asking questions and learning new things, someone whose mind naturally inquires about how the world works.