ask

1 of 2

verb

ˈask How to pronounce ask (audio) ˈäsk How to pronounce ask (audio)
 dialectal  ˈaks
asked ˈas(k)t How to pronounce ask (audio)
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

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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
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
The only two things Europeans ask David Sedaris about Sedaris, the American abroad, says he’s only brought into the fold by Europeans for two predictable and recurring conversations. Peter D. Kramer, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024 Start the meeting on a positive note by asking about something the employee is enthusiastic about. Steve Shrout, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
Noun
Lawmakers had to pare down their ask, which meant that the two projects, which had been allies, were forced to become rivals. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024 Writing the prompts, looking at the outputs, and adjusting my asks in response was like playing with a toy. Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ask 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ask.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ask was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near ask

Cite this Entry

“Ask.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ask. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

ask

verb
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

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