How to pronounce enquiry
Say it like in-KWY-ree. Enquiry has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KWY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce enquiry. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- KWY
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Enquiry pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KWYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- reeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of enquiry
American and British speakers say enquiry in essentially the same way: /ɪnˈkwaɪˌri/ in the US and /ɪnˈkwaɪri/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-KWY-ree.
What does enquiry mean?
- British form of inquiry.“scientific enquiry”
Where does enquiry come from?
From Middle English enquery, from the Old French verb enquerre, from Latin inquīrō, composed of in- (“in, at, on; into”) + quaerō (“to seek, look for”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic *kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with enquiry
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of enquiry.
Words that sound like enquiry
Questions about saying enquiry
How do you pronounce enquiry?
Say in-KWY-ree. The American pronunciation is /ɪnˈkwaɪˌri/. In British English it is /ɪnˈkwaɪri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in enquiry?
Enquiry has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KWY). Broken into parts: in · KWY · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say enquiry the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪnˈkwaɪˌri/ and the British form is /ɪnˈkwaɪri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as enquiry?
Enquiry sounds the same as inquiry in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.