asks; asked; asking
1
: to say or write something to someone as a way of gaining information : to request an answer to a question
I need to ask a question.
I need to ask you a question. = (less commonly) I need to ask a question of you.
Are there any questions you would like to ask (me)?
Did you ask her yet?
"Have you seen the movie yet?" he asked.
a list of frequently asked questions
—often + aboutWe always ask him about his mother.
—often + if or whetherHe asked (them) if they had seen the movie.
She asked (me) if I was worried.
They were asked whether they would like to buy the car.
—often + why, what, etc.You should ask (him) why he didn't come.
He always asks (her) what she thinks.
May I ask what time it is?
It's not polite to ask how much a person weighs.
"If you don't mind me/my asking, how old are you?" "I'm 35 years old. Why do you ask?"
Please don't ask again.
"Do they have any soda?" "I don't know. I'll go ask."
—often + aboutI asked about her plans for the future.
The police were here asking about you.
2
: to tell someone in the form of a question that you want to be given something or that you want something to happen : to request something
If you want something to drink, just ask. [=just tell me that you want something to drink]
I would have given it to him, but he never asked.
—often + forLet's stop and ask for directions.
I'll have to ask for permission to leave.
She asked for their forgiveness/help.
She ate all of her food and asked for more.
His lawyers are asking for the case to be dismissed.
We had to stop and ask directions.
May I ask the time?
Did you ask permission to leave?
She asked their forgiveness.
—often + forWe had to ask someone for directions.
I asked her for permission.
She asked them for their forgiveness.
—often + if or whetherHe asked if he could use my telephone.
They asked us whether we might stay an extra day.
—often + thatShe asked that I not say anything about it.
His lawyers are asking that the case be dismissed.
—often followed by to + verbShe asked (for permission) to borrow her father's car for the day.
I asked (for permission) to leave work early.
You should ask your teacher to help you.
Unhappy with the service, he asked to see the manager.
He asked me to marry him.
I'm sorry, but I need to ask you to leave.
She asked me not to say anything about it to anyone.
I wanted to say something about it, but she asked me not to.
3
: to invite (someone) to go somewhere or do something
He's asking just a few friends to the party.
I asked him to lunch.
They asked me over for dinner.
Note: To ask someone out is to ask someone to go on a date with you.
4
a
: to believe that you should receive (something) from someone
She doesn't ask [=expect, require] a lot. She asks very little in return for her hard work.
—often + ofThe school asks much of its students. [=the school expects its students to do a lot]
He says that people ask too little of their politicians.
He was ready to go to war, should the government ask it of him. [=should the government ask him to go to war]
b
: to set (a specific amount of money) as a price
The dealer originally asked [=wanted] $20,000 for the car, but he sold it to me for $18,000.
They're asking [=charging] $100 or more per concert ticket.
Cite this Entry
“Ask.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/ask. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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