Meaning & Definition of Ask in English

1. Inquire about

• "I asked about their special today"

• "He had to ask directions several times"

2. Make a request or demand for something to somebody

• "She asked him for a loan"

3. Direct or put

• Seek an answer to

• "Ask a question"

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. Address a question to and expect an answer from

• "Ask your teacher about trigonometry"

• "The children asked me about their dead grandmother"

6. 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"

7. 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"