ask

1 of 2

verb

ˈask  ˈäsk 

 dialectal  ˈaks

asked ˈas(k)t 

ˈäs(k)t,

ˈask;

 dialectal  ˈakst

; asking

transitive verb

1

a

: to call on for an answer

She asked him about his trip.

b

: to put a question about

asking her opinion

c

: speak, utter

ask a question

2

a

: to make a request of

She asked her teacher for help.

b

: to make a request for

She asked help from her teacher.

3

: to call for : require

a challenge that will ask much of us

4

: to set as a price

asked $3000 for the car

5

: invite

She asked a few friends to the party.

intransitive verb

1

: to seek information

ask for her address

2

: to make a request

asked for food

asker noun

ask

2 of 2

noun

chiefly British, informal

: something asked for, requested, or required of someone

—used especially in phrases like a big ask and a tough ask to say that what is being asked for or hoped for is difficult or unlikely

It's a big ask, I think, demanding audiences recall a plot from two years ago, and while normally I don't mind a big ask … this particular ask utterly defeated me.

—Deborah Ross

Phrases

ask for it

informal

: to behave in a way that invites punishment or retribution

Experts used to think that battered women were "asking for it"—somehow masochistically provoking abuse from their men. Mercifully, that idea has now been discredited.

—Michele Ingrassia

ask for trouble

informal

: to behave in a way that is likely to result in trouble

… you are asking for trouble if you try to lift too much weight …

—Douglas Jeffrey

Synonyms

Verb

• catechize
• grill
• inquire (of)
• interrogate
• query
• question
• quiz

Choose the Right Synonym for ask

ask, question, interrogate, query, inquire mean to address a person in order to gain information.

ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions.

began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

ask, request, solicit mean to seek to obtain by making one's wants known.

ask implies no more than the statement of the desire.

ask a favor of a friend

request implies greater formality and courtesy.

requests the pleasure of your company

solicit suggests a calling attention to one's wants or desires by public announcement or advertisement.

a letter soliciting information

Examples of ask in a Sentence

Verb

I need to ask a question.

Did you ask her yet?

“Have you seen the movie yet?” he asked.

a list of frequently asked questions

“If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?” “I'm 35 years old. Why do you ask?”

“Do they have any soda?” “I don't know. I'll go ask.”

I would have given it to him, but he never asked.

We had to stop and ask directions.

May I ask the time?

Did you ask permission to leave?

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Angst-alleviating initiatives include free park-and-ride shuttle service to trailheads and the Sedona Cares Challenge, which asks visitors to agree to nine ways to help preserve Red Rock Country’s natural beauty, like not forging your own trails and packing out your trash. —Erin Strout, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024

If the question is asked in a friendly way, most people will answer in the same vein. —Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

Noun

The man can be heard ordering a variety of treats, with each ask prompting an impressed reaction from Brunson. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024

It's raised nearly US$45,000 on an initial ask of US$3,000 and there are still 36 days left to go. —Michael Franco, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English āscian; akin to Old High German eiscōn to ask, Lithuanian ieškoti to seek, Sanskrit icchati he seeks

Noun

noun derivative of ask entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ask

• ask after
• ask around
• ask for
• ask for the moon
• ask oneself
• ask someone out
• don't ask
• don't ask me
• I ask you
• if you ask me

Kids Definition

ask

verb

ˈask  ˈȧsk 

1

: to seek information : inquire

asked about our trip

2

a

: to make a request

ask for help

b

: to make a request to

ask your teacher to help you

3

: to set as a price : demand

asked $20 for the bicycle

4

: invite entry 1 sense 2a

asked friends to a party

5

: to behave as if looking

asking for trouble

asker noun