enquire
Ask to learn
Enquire is primarily a British spelling of inquire, meaning to ask or seek information: She enquired about the job opening.
Both spellings work for general questions, though inquiry tends to dominate in American English.
Some British writers reserve enquire for casual asking and inquire for formal investigations, but the distinction isn't consistently observed.
Seek an answer
survey · consult · interview · cross-examine · interrogate · grill · canvass · sound out
Seek facts systematically
- researchSystematic fact-finding effort
- examineStudy with attention
- analyzeStudy by breaking down
- inspectStudy closely for flaws
scrutinize · look into · dig into · explore · probe · delve · study · review
Formal written appeal
- solicitRequest with persistence
- requisitionFormal order for supplies
- submitPresent for consideration
- applyPut into operation
appeal · address · correspond · consult · confer · deliberate · summon
Make something understandable
- explainMake something understood
- elucidateTo make understood
- double-checkVerify a second time
- verifyConfirm accuracy or truth
confirm · ascertain · establish · determine · find out · get to the bottom of · make sure · check on
Amazement or curiosity
- ponderThink deeply about
- speculateGuess based on incomplete evidence
- contemplateConsider something thoroughly
- museThink deeply about
ask
Seek an answer
poll · survey · consult · interview · cross-examine · interrogate · grill · canvass · sound out · demand
investigate
Seek facts systematically
inspect · scrutinize · look into · dig into · explore · probe · delve · study · review · audit
petition
Formal written appeal
- solicitRequest with persistence
- requisitionFormal order for supplies
- submitPresent for consideration
apply · appeal · address · correspond · consult · confer · deliberate · summon
clarify
Make something understandable
- explainMake something understood
- elucidateTo make understood
- double-checkVerify a second time
verify · confirm · ascertain · establish · determine · find out · get to the bottom of · make sure · check on
wonder
Amazement or curiosity
- ponderThink deeply about
- speculateGuess based on incomplete evidence
- contemplateConsider something thoroughly
muse · puzzle over · inquisitiveness · intellectual curiosity
- National EnquirerAmerican supermarket tabloid
- enquire afterRequest information about someone's welfare