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ask  (ăsk)
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Tweet v. asked, ask·ing, asks v. tr. 1. To put a question to: When we realized that we didn't know the answer, we asked the teacher. 2. To seek an answer to: ask a question. 3. To seek information about: asked directions. 4. a. To make a request of: asked me for a loan. b. 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. 5. To require or call for as a price or condition: asked ten dollars for the book. 6. To expect or demand: ask too much of a child. 7. To invite: asked them to dinner. 8. Archaic To publish, as marriage banns. v.intr. 1. To make inquiry; seek information. 2. To make a request: asked for help. n. pl. asks Phrasal Verb: Informal 1. 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). 2. Something that is requested: “Being funny on demand is a big ask” (Anne Curzan). ask out Idiom: To invite (someone) to a social engagement. ask for it (or trouble) Informal To persist in an action despite the likelihood that it will result in difficulty or punishment. [Middle English asken, from Old English ācsian, āscian; see ais- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] asker n. Synonyms: ask, question, inquire, query, interrogate, examine, quiz These verbs mean to seek to gain or elicit information from another: Ask is the most neutral term: We asked the police officer for directions. The coach asked me what was wrong. Question implies careful or methodical asking: The prosecutor questioned the witness on several key points. Inquire often suggests a polite or formal request: We inquired whether the hotel had laundry service. The chairman inquired how best to secure the information. Query usually suggests settling a doubt: The proofreader queried the author on the spelling of a name. Interrogate applies especially to official and often aggressive questioning: The detectives interrogated the suspects for several hours. Examine refers particularly to close and detailed questioning to ascertain a person's knowledge or qualifications: The committee examined each candidate separately. Quiz denotes the informal examination of students: The teacher quizzed the pupils on the multiplication table. |
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