Etymologically
Log in

inquiry

Etymology and origin of the English word inquiry

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
early 15th century

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɪnˈkwaɪəɹi/, /ɪŋ-/ (UK); /ɪnˈkwaɪ(ə)ɹi/, /ˈɪnkwɪɹi/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is Middle English enquery, probably from an Anglo-French noun formed from enqueren, to inquire,[2][3] or formed in English from inquire and -y.[4] It was respelled with in- from the mid-16th century to follow Latin.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

A judicial examination of facts: the early 15th century in Etymonline;[2] the OED has the action of seeking truth or information from about 1440.[5]

Semantic evolution

The general sense, an attempt to learn something, is from the mid-15th century.[2] A course of investigation is from 1548,[5] and questioning or a single question from 1565 and 1548.[5] In law, a writ of inquiry summoned a jury to investigate a matter (1588).[5] A formal public investigation into a matter of public concern is a later use, as public inquiry (1873).[5][6]

Timeline

  • early 15th century – a judicial examination.[2]
  • c. 1440 – seeking information.[5]
  • 1548 – an investigation; a question.[5]
  • 1873 – public inquiry.[5]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A request for information; a question.
  2. An official investigation, especially into a matter of public concern.
  3. The act of seeking knowledge or information; investigation.

Word family

  • court of inquiry
  • inquire
  • enquiry
  • enquire
  • inquest
  • query
  • question

Usage notes

British English often uses enquiry for a question and inquiry for a formal investigation, though both spellings are used for both.[6][4]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
Cite this entry

“Inquiry.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/inquiry. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·