Interview vs. Inquiry — What's the Difference?

An interview is essentially a structured conversation where one participant asks questions, and the other provides answers. In common parlance, the word "interview" refers to a one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee.

An inquiry (also spelled as enquiry in British English) is any process that has the aim of augmenting knowledge, resolving doubt, or solving a problem. A theory of inquiry is an account of the various types of inquiry and a treatment of the ways that each type of inquiry achieves its aim.

A meeting of people face to face, especially for consultation.

The act of inquiring

Hold an interview with (someone)

A question; a query

A formal meeting in person, especially one arranged for the assessment of the qualifications of an applicant.

A close examination of a matter

A conversation, such as one conducted by a reporter, in which facts or statements are elicited from another.

The act of inquiring; a seeking of information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.

An account or a reproduction of such a conversation.

Search for truth, information, or knowledge; examination of facts or principles; research; investigation

(Informal) An interviewee

The act of inquiring; a seeking for information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.

To obtain an interview from.

Search for truth, information, or knowledge; examination into facts or principles; research; investigation; as, physical inquiries.

To have an interview

A search for knowledge;

(obsolete) An official face-to-face meeting of monarchs or other important figures.

An instance of questioning;

Any face-to-face meeting, especially of an official or adversarial nature.

A systematic investigation of a matter of public interest

A conversation in person (or, by extension, over the telephone, Internet etc.) between a journalist and someone whose opinion or statements he or she wishes to record for publication, broadcast etc.

A formal meeting, in person, for the assessment of a candidate or applicant.

An audition.

A police interrogation of a suspect or party in an investigation.

(transitive) To ask questions of (somebody); to have an interview.

(intransitive) To be interviewed; to attend an interview.

A mutual sight or view; a meeting face to face; usually, a formal or official meeting for consultation; a conference; as, the secretary had an interview with the President.

A conversation, or questioning, for the purpose of eliciting information for publication; the published statement so elicited.

To have an interview with; to question or converse with, especially for the purpose of obtaining information for publication.

The questioning of a person (or a conversation in which information is elicited); often conducted by journalists;

A conference (usually with someone important);

Conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

Discuss formally with (somebody) for the purpose of an evaluation;

Go for an interview in the hope of being hired;