ask

1 of 2

verb

ˈask

ˈäsk

dialectal ˈaks

asked ˈas(k)t How to pronounce ask (audio)

ˈäs(k)t,

ˈask;

dialectal ˈakst

; asking

transitive verb

: to call on for an answer

She asked him about his trip.

: to put a question about

asking her opinion

: speak, utter

ask a question

: to make a request of

She asked her teacher for help.

: to make a request for

She asked help from her teacher.

: to call for : require

a challenge that will ask much of us

: to set as a price

asked $3000 for the car

: invite

She asked a few friends to the party.

intransitive verb

: to seek information

ask for her address

: 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

Example Sentences

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? See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Go ahead and ask for a spoon from the start—you’re going to need it.

The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 8 Sep. 2022 But the transition has left the state short of power during periods of acute demand, such as this week’s heat wave, leading officials to ask or pay large businesses, and increasingly, residents, to cut back.

Jennifer Hiller, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Many analysts predicted Apple would ask its devout fans to pay as much as 15% more to help offset rising costs for many components.

CBS News, 8 Sep. 2022 Efron said his own mother called him once images of his face started circulating to ask if the rumor was true.

Maggie O'neill, SELF, 8 Sep. 2022 In the days that followed the police cars and the arrest, colleagues came up to her on Capitol Hill to ask questions about the security measures available to them.

Ruby Cramer, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 When buying trees from a nursery or online in this global economy, French advised consumers to ask where the tree and its seed came from.

Jennifer Rude Klett, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Men’s health: A new Cleveland Clinic survey found men have questions about their health but are reluctant to ask their doctors, often delay health screenings, and are frequently misinformed about causes and treatments for common healthcare issues.

Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2022 Many analysts predicted Apple would ask its devout fans to pay as much as 15 percent more to help offset rising costs for many components.

Michael Liedtke, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022

Noun

Given the tall ask, the buyouts offer a solution for dealers unable or unwilling to make the changes.

Emily Dreibelbis, PCMAG, 6 Sep. 2022 That’s a big ask of the fair-weather fan who has been sitting on the fence until game week before deciding to make a purchase.

San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 Purdue should be up to the ask to make this thing competitive.

Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 29 Aug. 2022 Charter flights for playoff teams doesn’t seem like a big ask in 2022.

Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2022 That’s a big ask of voters in a lower-profile race.

Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 Citing four unnamed sources close to both the governor and Trump, no ask has been made, and there are no plans to.

Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2022 But with 40 million people in seven states, 30 Native American tribes and Mexico dependent on Colorado River water, asking users to make additional cuts to protect houseboating on Lake Powell is a big ask.

Zak Podmore, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Aug. 2022 That would be a big ask of a second-year developmental player.

Nathan Baird, cleveland, 15 Aug. 2022 See More

ask

verb

as in to question

to put a question or questions to my coworkers asked me all about my trip to Machu Picchu

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

question
interrogate
quiz
query
catechize
inquire (of)
examine
grill
bombard
survey
cross-question
cross-examine
pump
poll
besiege

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

answer
respond
reply
observe
comment
avoid
remark
rejoin
retort
duck

as in to request

to make a request of ask the salesclerk for assistance

Synonyms & Similar Words

request
invite
beg
implore
pray
call on
petition
solicit
call upon
beseech
invoke
require
entreat
supplicate
importune
conjure
hit (up)
demand
enjoin
plead (to)
exact
appeal (to)
press

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

require
compel
force
oblige
coerce
constrain

as in to charge

to set or receive as a price they are only asking $300 for that antique grandfather clock

Synonyms & Similar Words

charge
demand
bring
fetch
assess
command
price
discount
overcharge
undercharge
mark up
value
bill
invoice
mark down
sell (for)

as in to invite

to request the presence or participation of a fixture on the party circuit, that couple is always asking people over for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

invite
bid
call
solicit
summon
beckon

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of ask are inquire, interrogate, query, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

The words inquire and ask are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

The synonyms interrogate and ask are sometimes interchangeable, but interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

The words query and ask can be used in similar contexts, but query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

Although the words question and ask have much in common, question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

单词	ask
释义	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 See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences 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? See More Recent Examples on the Web Verb Go ahead and ask for a spoon from the start—you’re going to need it. The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 8 Sep. 2022 But the transition has left the state short of power during periods of acute demand, such as this week’s heat wave, leading officials to ask or pay large businesses, and increasingly, residents, to cut back. Jennifer Hiller, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Many analysts predicted Apple would ask its devout fans to pay as much as 15% more to help offset rising costs for many components. CBS News, 8 Sep. 2022 Efron said his own mother called him once images of his face started circulating to ask if the rumor was true. Maggie O'neill, SELF, 8 Sep. 2022 In the days that followed the police cars and the arrest, colleagues came up to her on Capitol Hill to ask questions about the security measures available to them. Ruby Cramer, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 When buying trees from a nursery or online in this global economy, French advised consumers to ask where the tree and its seed came from. Jennifer Rude Klett, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Men’s health: A new Cleveland Clinic survey found men have questions about their health but are reluctant to ask their doctors, often delay health screenings, and are frequently misinformed about causes and treatments for common healthcare issues. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2022 Many analysts predicted Apple would ask its devout fans to pay as much as 15 percent more to help offset rising costs for many components. Michael Liedtke, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 Noun Given the tall ask, the buyouts offer a solution for dealers unable or unwilling to make the changes. Emily Dreibelbis, PCMAG, 6 Sep. 2022 That’s a big ask of the fair-weather fan who has been sitting on the fence until game week before deciding to make a purchase. San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 Purdue should be up to the ask to make this thing competitive. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 29 Aug. 2022 Charter flights for playoff teams doesn’t seem like a big ask in 2022. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2022 That’s a big ask of voters in a lower-profile race. Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 Citing four unnamed sources close to both the governor and Trump, no ask has been made, and there are no plans to. Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2022 But with 40 million people in seven states, 30 Native American tribes and Mexico dependent on Colorado River water, asking users to make additional cuts to protect houseboating on Lake Powell is a big ask. Zak Podmore, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Aug. 2022 That would be a big ask of a second-year developmental player. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 15 Aug. 2022 See More 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 for ask after ask around ask for the moon ask someone out if you ask me don't ask don't ask me I ask you ask oneself ask for trouble ask for it See More ask for ask after ask around ask for the moon ask someone out if you ask me don't ask don't ask me I ask you ask oneself ask for trouble ask for it See More Kids Definition ask verb ˈask asked; asking 1 : to seek information by posing a question She asked if I was worried. They asked about our trip. 2 : to make a request Did you ask for help? 3 : to set as a price I'm asking ten dollars for my skates. 4 : invite sense 2 I asked some friends to my party. 5 : to behave as if seeking a result You're asking for trouble. ask verb 1 as in to question to put a question or questions to my coworkers asked me all about my trip to Machu Picchu Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance question interrogate quiz query catechize inquire (of) examine grill bombard survey cross-question cross-examine pump poll besiege Antonyms & Near Antonyms answer respond reply observe comment avoid remark rejoin retort duck See More 2 as in to request to make a request of ask the salesclerk for assistance Synonyms & Similar Words request invite beg implore pray call on petition solicit call upon beseech invoke require entreat supplicate importune conjure hit (up) demand enjoin plead (to) exact appeal (to) press Antonyms & Near Antonyms require compel force oblige coerce constrain 3 as in to charge to set or receive as a price they are only asking $300 for that antique grandfather clock Synonyms & Similar Words charge demand bring fetch assess command price discount overcharge undercharge mark up value bill invoice mark down sell (for) 4 as in to invite to request the presence or participation of a fixture on the party circuit, that couple is always asking people over for dinner Synonyms & Similar Words invite bid call solicit summon beckon Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of ask are inquire, interrogate, query, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," ask implies no more than the putting of a question. ask for directions The words inquire and ask are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 The synonyms interrogate and ask are sometimes interchangeable, but interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning. the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day The words query and ask can be used in similar contexts, but query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation. queried a librarian about the book Although the words question and ask have much in common, question usually suggests the asking of series of questions. questioned them about every detail of the trip Phrases Containing ask ask (for) ask (for)
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ask

verb

noun

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing ask

Kids Definition

verb

verb

Synonym Chooser

Phrases Containing ask