Meaning of ask in English

Verb
ask
Etymology
Old English āscian, āhsian, āxian, of West Germanic origin
Definitions
1. inquire about
Examples
- « I asked about their special today »
- « He had to ask directions several times »
2. make a request or demand for something to somebody
Examples
- « She asked him for a loan »
3. direct or put
Examples
- « seek an answer to »
- « ask a question »
4. consider obligatory
Examples
- « 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. require or ask for as a price or condition
Examples
- « He is asking $200 for the table »
- « The kidnapers are asking a million dollars in return for the release of their hostage »
6. address a question to and expect an answer from
Examples
- « Ask your teacher about trigonometry »
- « The children asked me about their dead grandmother »
7. require as useful, just, or proper
Examples
- « 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; »
Antonyms

Pronunciation