What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Consult vs Enquire - What's the difference?

consult | enquire |

In lang=en terms the difference between consult and enquire

is that consult is to have reference to, in judging or acting; to have regard to; to consider; as, to consult one's wishes while enquire is to make an enquiry.

As verbs the difference between consult and enquire

is that consult is to seek the opinion or advice of another; to take counsel; to deliberate together; to confer while enquire is to make an enquiry.

As a noun consult

is (obsolete): the act of consulting or deliberating; consultation; also, the result of consultation; determination; decision.

consult

English

Alternative forms

* consultation (Only noun form in UK)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (obsolete): The act of consulting or deliberating; consultation; also, the result of consultation; determination; decision.
    • The council broke; And all grave consults dissolved in smoke. -.
  • (obsolete): A council; a meeting for consultation.
    • A consult of coquettes. -.
  • (obsolete): Agreement; concert.
  • (US): A visit, e.g. to a doctor; a consultation.

    • Usage notes

    * The noun consult is avoided in British English, favoring consultation instead. In AmE, they are merely synonyms.

    Synonyms

    * consultation

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To seek the opinion or advice of another; to take counsel; to deliberate together; to confer.
    • Let us consult upon to-morrow's business. -
    All the laws of England have been made by the kings of England, consulting with the nobility and commons. - .
  • To advise or offer expertise.
  • To work as a consultant or contractor rather than as a full-time employee of a firm.
  • To ask advice of; to seek the opinion of; to apply to for information or instruction; to refer to; as, to consult a physician; to consult a dictionary.
    • Men forgot, or feared, to consult''' ... ; they were content to '''consult libraries. - .
  • To have reference to, in judging or acting; to have regard to; to consider; as, to consult one's wishes.
    • We are ... to consult the necessities of life, rather than matters of ornament and delight. -L'Estrange.
  • (obsolete): To deliberate upon; to take for.
    • Many things were there consulted for the future, yet nothing was positively resolved. -.
  • (obsolete): To bring about by counsel or contrivance; to devise; to contrive.
    • Thou hast consulted shame to thy use by cutting off many people. - Bible, Heb. ii. 10.

    Related terms

    * consultancy * consultant * consultation * consultative (Webster 1913)

    External links

    * * English heteronyms

    enquire

    English

    Alternative forms

    * inquire (chiefly US)

    Verb

    (enquir)
  • To make an enquiry.
    • He enquired about the availability of rental bicycles in the town.
  • (archaic) To ask about (something).
  • * (rfdate) (John Milton)
    • ''Having thus at length enquired the truth concerning Law and dispense.
  • * (rfdate) (Byron)
    • And all obey and few enquire his will.

    Usage notes

    (unreferenced) In the USA, inquire' is generally used in place of '''enquire'''. Where '''enquire''' is used (particularly in the UK), it means a non-official enquiry (such as to ask a question), whereas '''inquire''' is used in legal or government context where official transcripts are generated. In the USA, this distinction is not made and ' inquire is used generally.

    Related terms

    * enquiry