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Inquire vs Acquire - What's the difference?

inquire | acquire |

As verbs the difference between acquire and inquire

is that acquire is to get while inquire is to ask (about something).

inquire

English

Alternative forms

* enquire (chiefly British)

Verb

(intransitive'' or ''transitive )
  • (lb) To ask (about something).
  • To make an inquiry or an investigation.
  • *
  • *:"A fine man, that Dunwody, yonder," commented the young captain, as they parted, and as he turned to his prisoner. "We'll see him on in Washington some day.A strong man—a strong one; and a heedless." ¶ "Of what party is he?" she inquired , as though casually.
  • Usage notes

    * In British English, the spelling enquire' is more common, with '''inquire''' often reserved for official inquests. In Canada and the US, both spellings are acceptable, though ' inquire is favored.

    Synonyms

    * (l)

    Derived terms

    * inquire after * inquire of

    See also

    * inquest * inquisition * inquisitive * inquisitor English reporting verbs ----

    acquire

    English

    Verb

    (acquir)
  • To get.
  • To gain, usually by one's own exertions; to get as one's own, as, to acquire a title, riches, knowledge, skill, good or bad habits.
  • * (Isaac Barrow) (1630-1677)
  • No virtue is acquired in an instant, but step by step.
  • * (William Blackstone) (1723-1780)
  • Descent is the title whereby a man, on the death of his ancestor, acquires his estate, by right of representation, as his heir at law.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Michael Arlen), chapter=3/19/2, title= “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days
  • , passage=Ivor had acquired more than a mile of fishing rights with the house?; he was not at all a good fisherman, but one must do something?; one generally, however, banged a ball with a squash-racket against a wall.}}

    Synonyms

    * attain, earn, gain, obtain, procure, secure, win

    Derived terms

    * acquired taste