What does enquire mean?
Word: Enquire
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Enquire means to try to get information about something from a person who knows, for example by phoning or writing to them.
Synonyms: question
Sounds like: inquire (the same word spelt with i; British writers often keep inquire for a formal investigation and enquire for simply asking)
How do you spell enquire?
Syllables: en - quire
Tricky part: It starts with en, then qu. Children often write enqire, leaving out the u. Inquire, with an i, is the other correct spelling.
Watch out for: enqire, enquiar, enkwire
Memory tip: In English, q is nearly always followed by u, and enquire is no exception: q and u sit together straight after en.
Enquire in a sentence
Example 1: Papa called the station to enquire about the train timings.
Example 2: Meena went to the front desk to enquire about swimming classes.
Example 3: The doctor enquired whether I had slept well.
Fun Fact
Enquire comes from the Latin quaerere, to seek, the same root that gives English the words question and quest.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
enquire
a) ask
b) reply
c) explain
d) forget
Show answer
a) ask. To enquire is to ask; a reply is what comes back after you ask.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
enquirre
a) q
b) u
c) r
d) e
Show answer
c) r. Enquire has a single r; the second one is extra.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
iruqene
a) enqueri
b) enquier
c) enquire
d) enqurie
Show answer
c) enquire. Begin with en and keep the qu pair together; then sort the three letters left so the word rhymes with choir.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) enquire
b) explane
c) informasion
d) answar
Show answer
a) enquire. Answer ends in -er, explain in -ain and information in -tion, so enquire is the one spelt right.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Rohan wants to know when the library opens. Which sentence shows him enquiring?
a) He checks the timings with the librarian.
b) He tells a friend the library is shut.
c) He reads a book in the reading room.
d) He returns his book on the right day.
Show answer
a) He checks the timings with the librarian.
2. A sign in a shop says, "Please enquire at the counter." What is the sign asking you to do?
a) try on new clothes there
b) pay for your shopping there
c) leave your school bag there
d) get your questions answered there
Show answer
d) get your questions answered there
