How to pronounce enquire
Say it like en-KWIRE. Enquire has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KWIRE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce enquire. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- en
- KWIRE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Enquire pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- enKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- KWIRESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of enquire
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: en-KWY.
What does enquire mean?
- British English form of inquire.“He enquired about the availability of rental bicycles in the town.”
Where does enquire come from?
From Old French enquerre, from en- + querre (“to search, to look for”), from Latin quaerere, of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic *kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with enquire
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of enquire.
Questions about saying enquire
How do you pronounce enquire?
Say en-KWIRE. The American pronunciation is /ɛnˈkwaɪr/. In British English it is /ɛnˈkwaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in enquire?
Enquire has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KWIRE). Broken into parts: en · KWIRE.
Is enquire pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ɛnˈkwaɪ/ (en-KWY).