Definition Definition

Ask - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'Ask' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Ask [ n.]
- A water newt.
2 . Ask [ v. i.]
- To request or petition; -- usually followed by for; as, to ask for bread.
- To make inquiry, or seek by request; -- sometimes followed by after.
3 . Ask [ v. t.]
- To request; to seek to obtain by words; to petition; to solicit; -- often with of, in the sense of from, before the person addressed.
- To require, demand, claim, or expect, whether by way of remuneration or return, or as a matter of necessity; as, what price do you ask?
- To interrogate or inquire of or concerning; to put a question to or about; to question.
- To invite; as, to ask one to an entertainment.
- To publish in church for marriage; -- said of both the banns and the persons.

Meaning of 'Ask' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . ask [ v]
Meaning (1):
- consider obligatory; request and expect
Example in sentence:
  • Aren't we asking too much of these children?;
  • I expect my students to arrive in time for their lessons;
  • We require our secretary to be on time
Meaning (2):
- direct or put; seek an answer to
Example in sentence:
  • ask a question
Meaning (3):
- address a question to and expect an answer from
Example in sentence:
  • Ask your teacher about trigonometry;
  • He had to ask directions several times;
  • I inquired about their special today;
  • The children asked me about their dead grandmother
Meaning (4):
- make a date
Example in sentence:
  • Has he asked you out yet?;
  • He asekd me to a dance
Meaning (5):
- require or ask for as a price or condition
Example in sentence:
  • He is asking $200 for the table;
  • The kidnappers are asking a million dollars in return for the release of their hostage
Meaning (6):
- require as useful, just, or proper
Example in sentence:
  • It takes nerve to do what she did;
  • success usually requires hard work;
  • This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert;
  • This intervention does not postulate a patient's consent;
  • This job asks a lot of patience and skill;
  • This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice
Meaning (7):
- make a request or demand for something to somebody
Example in sentence:
  • She asked him for a loan