Definition

1. Verb:
   • To put a question to someone, seeking information or an answer: The core meaning involves speaking or writing to inquire about something.
   • To make a request; to express a desire for something from someone: This involves seeking to obtain something, such as permission, help, or an object.
   • To invite someone: To request someone's presence at an event or gathering.
   • To state a required price for something: To state the amount of money one wants in exchange for a good or service.
   • To require as necessary or appropriate: To have a need for a particular quality, action, or thing.

Usage Examples

• Verb (To inquire):
  • I need to ask a question about the homework.
  • She asked about the meeting time.
• Verb (To request):
  • He asked for a glass of water.
  • They asked me to help them move the furniture.
• Verb (To invite):
  • We asked our neighbors to the party.
• Verb (To state a price):
  • The seller is asking $15,000 for the car.
• Verb (To require):
  • This difficult task asks for great patience.
  • The recipe asks for three eggs.

Advanced Usage

• "Ask for it" (idiom): To behave in a way that is likely to result in trouble or a negative reaction.
  • Driving that fast in the rain is just asking for it.
• "Ask after someone": To inquire about someone's health or well-being.
  • John asked after you when I saw him yesterday.
• "Ask around": To ask several people in order to get information.
  • If you're looking for a good mechanic, you should ask around.

Variants and Related Words

• Asker (noun): One who asks.
• Asking (noun/gerund): The act of posing a question or making a request.
  • It was a simple asking.
• Unasked (adjective): Not asked for or requested.
  • She offered unasked advice.

Synonyms

• Inquire: To seek information by questioning.
• Request: To politely or formally ask for something.
• Query: To ask a question, especially to resolve a doubt.
• Solicit: To ask for or try to obtain something from someone.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Ask out: To invite someone on a date.
  • He finally asked her out to dinner.
• Ask over/round: To invite someone to one's home.
  • We asked a few friends over for the game.
• Ask back: To invite someone in return.
  • They asked us back for lunch the following week.

Related Idioms

• A big ask: A very difficult request or demand.
  • Finishing the project in one day is a big ask.
• Ask me another: Used to say you do not know the answer to a question.
  • "Where did he go?" "Ask me another!"
• If you ask me: Used to give an opinion that was not specifically requested.
  • If you ask me, the plan is too risky.

Verb

1. require or ask for as a price or condition
   • He is asking $200 for the table
   • The kidnappers are asking a million dollars in return for the release of their hostage
2. 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 postulate a patient's consent
3. address a question to and expect an answer from
   • Ask your teacher about trigonometry
   • The children asked me about their dead grandmother
4. 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
5. direct or put; seek an answer to
   • ask a question
6. make a request or demand for something to somebody
   • She asked him for a loan
7. inquire about
   • I asked about their special today
   • He had to ask directions several times