ask
ahsk
Ask (verb) means to put a question to someone, or to request information. Example: “She asked what time the train left.”
verb
1
To put a question to someone, or to request information.
"She asked what time the train left."
"He asked the waiter for the check."
"I'll ask my teacher how to spell that difficult word."
2
To request that someone do something, or to request permission.
"Can I ask you to close the window?"
"They asked to leave early because of the storm."
"She asked her neighbour to water the plants while she was away."
3
To invite someone.
"He asked her to the party on Friday."
"We asked our new neighbours over for dinner on Saturday."
"They asked half the street to the barbecue in the garden."
noun
1
A request, or something requested — often used in business or fundraising contexts.
"The charity's big ask this year is $10,000 per donor."
"That's a big ask given how little time we have."
"My ask is simple: please reply to every email within a day."
2
The price a seller is asking for something.
"The ask on the house was well above market value."
"The seller lowered his ask after nobody came to view the car."
"Their ask for the old piano was surprisingly reasonable."
How to use ask
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo put a question, make a request, or invite someone.
Common mistake
Don't say "ask to someone" — the correct pattern is "ask someone" or "ask of someone" in more formal writing.
Common pairings
ask a question
ask a favor
a big ask
the asking price
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Word forms
- Plural
- asks
- Third person singular
- asks, aks, akses
- Plural verb form
- asken
- Past tense
- asked, aksed
- Archaic forms
- askest, askedst, asketh
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ what time the train left.
Etymology
From Old English āscian, of Germanic origin, related to words in Dutch and German meaning "to demand" or "to request."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ask
See all rhymes for ask →Frequently asked questions
What does “ask” mean?
The word “ask” means to put a question to someone, or to request information. In plain terms, to put a question, make a request, or invite someone.
How do you pronounce “ask”?
“Ask” is pronounced ahsk (/æsk/ in IPA).
How do you use “ask” in a sentence?
Here is “ask” used in a sentence: “She asked what time the train left.”
What part of speech is “ask”?
Depending on how it is used, “ask” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “ask” come from?
The word “ask” comes from Old English. From Old English āscian, of Germanic origin, related to words in Dutch and German meaning "to demand" or "to request.".
Is “ask” a common word?
“Ask” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “ask” have?
“Ask” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to put a question to someone, or to request information.
What is the difference between 'ask' and 'request'?
Both mean to seek something, but 'ask' is the everyday, neutral word, while 'request' is more formal and polite, often used in writing or professional settings. You might ask a friend for help, but request assistance in an official letter. 'Request' also sounds slightly more deliberate and considered.
What is the difference between 'ask' and 'inquire'?
To ask is the general term for putting a question. To inquire (or enquire) is more formal and usually means to seek specific information or make a careful investigation. You ask what time it is; you inquire about a job vacancy or inquire into how an accident happened.
What is the past tense of 'ask'?
The past tense of 'ask' is 'asked,' pronounced 'askt.' It is a regular verb, so you simply add '-ed': 'She asked a question yesterday.' In careful speech, avoid the non-standard forms 'aks' or 'axed,' which appear in some dialects but are not accepted in standard written English.
What is the difference between 'ask' and 'tell'?
To ask is to seek information or a favor, expecting a reply. To tell is to give information or an instruction, expecting nothing back. Asking invites an answer; telling delivers one. In short, 'ask' opens a question, while 'tell' makes a statement or gives a command.
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