Ask Definition and Meaning
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 6, 2024
Ask means to request information or express a desire to know something. e.g., She will ask the teacher for clarification.
Table of Contents
Ask Definitions
To invite someone formally or informally.
We'll ask them to the party.
To invite or call for a response.
The survey asks for your opinion.
To set a price or value on something.
They ask $200 for the antique.
To request assistance or information.
Can you ask for directions?
To demand or expect something.
This job asks for a lot of patience.
To require or need as a condition.
The recipe asks for three eggs.
To seek an answer or solution.
She'll ask a puzzle question.
To make a formal request, especially in a social or legal context.
They will ask the council for approval.
To challenge or provoke thought.
The film asks deep questions.
To pose a question or inquiry.
He will ask about the schedule.
To put a question to
When we realized that we didn't know the answer, we asked the teacher.
To seek an answer to
Ask a question.
To seek information about
Asked directions.
To make a request of
Asked me for a loan.
To make a request for. Often used with an infinitive or clause
Ask a favor of a friend.
Asked to go along on the trip.
Asked that he be allowed to stay out late.
To require or call for as a price or condition
Asked ten dollars for the book.
To expect or demand
Ask too much of a child.
To invite
Asked them to dinner.
(Archaic)To publish, as marriage banns.
To make inquiry; seek information.
To make a request
Asked for help.
The act of making a request
“He was contacted by the mayor's fund-raiser ... a day after the mayor made the ask” (Jennifer Fermino).
Something that is requested
“Being funny on demand is a big ask” (Anne Curzan).
To request (information, or an answer to a question).
I asked her age.
I asked her (for) her age.
To put forward (a question) to be answered.
To ask a question
To interrogate or enquire of (a person).
I'm going to ask this lady for directions.
To request or petition; usually with for.
To ask for a second helping at dinner
To ask for help with homework
Emma asked Jim to close his eyes.
To request permission to do something.
She asked to see the doctor.
Did you ask to use the car?
To require, demand, claim, or expect, whether by way of remuneration or return, or as a matter of necessity.
What price are you asking for the house?
To invite.
Don't ask them to the wedding.
To publish in church for marriage; said of both the banns and the persons.
(figuratively) To take (a person's situation) as an example.
An act or instance of asking.
Something asked or asked for.
I know this is a big ask, but …
An asking price.
(Internet) A message sent to a blog on social networking platform Tumblr, which can be publicly posted and replied to by the recipient.
An eft; newt.
A lizard.
To request; to seek to obtain by words; to petition; to solicit; - often with of, in the sense of from, before the person addressed.
Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
To require, demand, claim, or expect, whether by way of remuneration or return, or as a matter of necessity; as, what price do you ask?
Ask me never so much dowry.
To whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
An exigence of state asks a much longer time to conduct a design to maturity.
To interrogate or inquire of or concerning; to put a question to or about; to question.
He is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
He asked the way to Chester.
To invite; as, to ask one to an entertainment.
To publish in church for marriage; - said of both the banns and the persons.
To request or petition; - usually followed by for; as, to ask for bread.
Ask, and it shall be given you.
To make inquiry, or seek by request; - sometimes followed by after.
Wherefore . . . dost ask after my name?
A water newt.
Inquire about;
I asked about their special today
He had to ask directions several times
Make a request or demand for something to somebody;
She asked him for a loan
Direct or put; seek an answer to;
Ask a question
Consider obligatory; request and expect;
We require our secretary to be on time
Aren't we asking too much of these children?
I expect my students to arrive in time for their lessons
Require or ask for as a price or condition;
He is asking $200 for the table
The kidnapers are asking a million dollars in return for the release of their hostage
Address a question to and expect an answer from;
Ask your teacher about trigonometry
The children asked me about their dead grandmother
Require as useful, just, or proper;
It takes nerve to do what she did
Success usually requires hard work
This job asks a lot of patience and skill
This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice
This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert
This intervention does not postulates a patient's consent
Ask Snonyms
Query
To ask a question about something, especially in order to express one's doubts about it or to check its validity or accuracy.
She queried the bill's accuracy.
Probe
To investigate or explore by asking questions or examining.
Journalists probed into the details of the scandal.
Question
To ask someone questions, especially in an official context.
The police questioned him for hours.
Solicit
To ask for or try to obtain something from someone.
He solicited donations for the charity.
Request
To politely or formally ask for.
She requested permission to leave.
Inquire
To seek information by questioning.
He inquired about train times.
Interrogate
To ask questions of (someone), especially in a thorough or formal manner.
The suspects were interrogated by the detectives.
Demand
To ask authoritatively or brusquely.
The manager demanded an explanation.
Seek
To attempt to find (something).
They went to seek help from a professional.
Consult
To seek information or advice from (someone with expertise in a particular area).
You should consult a lawyer about this matter.
Ask Idioms & Phrases
Ask around
To inquire of several people.
I'll ask around to see if anyone found your lost keys.
Don't ask, don't tell
A policy of not inquiring into personal matters.
They operate on a don't ask, don't tell basis.
If you don't ask, you don't get
Encouraging taking initiative to request what one wants.
He got the promotion because he believes if you don't ask, you don't get.
Ask for the moon
To request something unrealistic or impossible.
If you want that car for free, you're asking for the moon.
Ask out
To invite someone on a date.
He's planning to ask her out this Friday.
Too afraid to ask
Hesitant to inquire due to fear of the answer.
I was too afraid to ask about the test results.
Ask for it
To behave in a way that is likely to result in trouble.
By cheating, he was really asking for it.
You can't ask for more
Being fully satisfied with what one has.
The trip was amazing; you can't ask for more.
Ask oneself out
To ponder or consider one's own actions or decisions.
You should ask yourself out why you made that choice.
Ask away
Permission to begin asking questions.
I'm ready for your interview, ask away.
Ask in
To invite someone inside a place.
When she arrived, I asked her in for coffee.
Ask over
To invite someone to one's home.
We should ask the neighbors over for a BBQ.
Ask for trouble
To act in a way that is likely to result in difficulties.
Skipping class is just asking for trouble.
A big ask
A difficult or challenging request.
Finishing the project in one week is a big ask.
Ask for someone
To inquire about someone's presence.
Someone at the door is asking for you.
Ask the impossible
To request something very difficult or unattainable.
Getting that done by tomorrow is asking the impossible.
Ask back
To invite someone again.
They were such good guests, we'll definitely ask them back.
Ask Example Sentences
The quiz will ask you about historical events.
Can I ask you a favor?
You should ask for help when you need it.
They forgot to ask for a receipt.
We should ask for clarification on this matter.
This recipe asks for fresh herbs.
He didn't hesitate to ask difficult questions.
How much do they ask for rent?
Let's ask them over for dinner next weekend.
Did you ask about the return policy?
If you're unsure, always ask your teacher.
It's polite to ask before borrowing something.
The coach will ask a lot from his players.
She's going to ask him to the dance.
The application form asks for your contact details.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called ask?
"Ask" comes from the Old English word "ascian," meaning to request or inquire.
What is the root word of ask?
The root of "ask" is the Old English "ascian."
How many syllables are in ask?
Ask has one syllable.
What is the pronunciation of ask?
Ask is pronounced as /æsk/ or /ɑːsk/.
What is the verb form of ask?
"Ask" itself is the base form of the verb.
What is the first form of ask?
The first form is "ask."
What is the third form of ask?
The third form is also "asked."
How is ask used in a sentence?
"Ask" is used to indicate making a request or inquiry, e.g., Don't hesitate to ask questions.
What is a stressed syllable in ask?
The entire word "ask" is stressed, as it consists of only one syllable.
How do we divide ask into syllables?
As a single-syllable word, "ask" is not divided.
What part of speech is ask?
"Ask" is a verb.
Is ask a noun or adjective?
"Ask" is primarily a verb, not a noun or adjective.
Is ask a negative or positive word?
"Ask" is neutral; its connotation depends on the context.
Is ask a vowel or consonant?
The word "ask" starts with a consonant sound.
What is the singular form of ask?
"Ask" remains the same in singular form, as it is a verb.
What is the plural form of ask?
As a verb, "ask" does not have a plural form. Its conjugation changes with the subject.
Is the word ask imperative?
"Ask" can be used in the imperative mood, as in "Ask your friend."
Which vowel is used before ask?
The vowel used before "ask" depends on the preceding word in a sentence.
Which article is used with ask?
Articles are not typically used directly with "ask" as it is a verb.
Is ask an abstract noun?
"Ask" is a verb, not a noun, so it cannot be abstract.
Is ask a countable noun?
"Ask" is not a noun; it is a verb.
Is the word ask Gerund?
The gerund form of "ask" is "asking."
Is the word “ask” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Ask" can have both direct and indirect objects, e.g., "Ask him (indirect object) a question (direct object)."
Which determiner is used with ask?
Determiners are not typically used with "ask" as it is a verb.
What is the second form of ask?
The second form is "asked."
What is another term for ask?
Another term for "ask" could be "inquire" or "query."
What is the opposite of ask?
The opposite of "ask" could be "answer" or "respond."
Is ask an adverb?
No, "ask" is not an adverb.
Is ask a collective noun?
No, "ask" is a verb and not a collective noun.
Is the ask term a metaphor?
"Ask" can be used metaphorically in some contexts, such as "a big ask."
Which preposition is used with ask?
Prepositions like "for," "about," and "to" are commonly used with "ask."
Which conjunction is used with ask?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used in sentences involving "ask."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
