INQUIRING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does inquiring mean? 

• INQUIRING (noun)
  The noun INQUIRING has 1 sense:

1. a request for information

  Familiarity information: INQUIRING used as a noun is very rare.

• INQUIRING (adjective)
  The adjective INQUIRING has 1 sense:

1. given to inquiry

  Familiarity information: INQUIRING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INQUIRING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A request for information

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

inquiring; questioning

Hypernyms ("inquiring" is a kind of...):

asking; request (the verbal act of requesting)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "inquiring"):

challenge (questioning a statement and demanding an explanation)

enquiry; inquiry; interrogation; query; question (an instance of questioning)

examination; interrogation; interrogatory (formal systematic questioning)

Derivation:

inquire (conduct an inquiry or investigation of)

inquire (address a question to and expect an answer from)

• INQUIRING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Given to inquiry

Context example:

an inquiring mind

Similar:

fact-finding; investigative; investigatory (designed to find information or ascertain facts)

inquisitive (inquiring or appearing to inquire)

inquisitorial (having the authority to conduct official investigations)

inquisitorial (marked by inquisitive interest; especially suggestive of an ecclesiastical inquisitor)

inquisitory; probing; searching (diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation)

Also:

curious (eager to investigate and learn or learn more (sometimes about others' concerns))

Antonym:

uninquiring (not inquiring)

 Context examples 

“I was inquiring,” said I, “whether Mr. Traddles, at number two in the Court, has not a rising reputation among the lawyers?”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The doctor has been here inquiring for you: he has got one of the boats, and is to be off for Spithead by six, so you had better go with him.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

A situation such as you deserve, and your friends would require for you, is no everyday occurrence, is not obtained at a moment's notice; indeed, indeed, we must begin inquiring directly.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

“What did William mean by it? He should make a point of inquiring into the matter.”

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Amy was too well-bred, and just now Laurie was too lazy, so in a minute he peeped under her hatbrim with an inquiring air.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

During the time that Kiche was tied by the stick, he ran about over all the camp, inquiring, investigating, learning.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

As to his real character, had information been in her power, she had never felt a wish of inquiring.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Elinor did not quite understand the beginning of Mrs. Jennings's speech, neither did she think it worth inquiring into; and therefore only replied to its conclusion.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

My father made no reproach in his letters and only took notice of my silence by inquiring into my occupations more particularly than before.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

The act or process of a systematic and thorough examination; research, study; the process of inquiring into or following up, intended to develop facts.

(Investigation, NCI Thesaurus)