ASK


Meaning of ASK in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈask, ˈäsk; dialect ]

ˈaks verb

( asked ˈas(k)t, ˈäs(k)t, ˈask; dialect ˈakst ; ask·ing )

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English āscian; akin to Old High German eiscōn to ask, Lithuanian eiškoti to seek, Sanskrit icchati he seeks

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb

1.

a. : to call on for an answer

she ask ed him about his trip

b. : to put a question about

ask ing her whereabouts

c. : speak , utter

ask a question

2.

a. : to make a request of

she ask ed her teacher for help

b. : to make a request for

she ask ed help from her teacher

3. : to call for : require

a challenge that will ask much of us

4. : to set as a price

ask ed $3000 for the car

5. : invite

intransitive verb

1. : to seek information

2. : to make a request

ask ed for food

3. : look — often used in the phrase ask for trouble

• ask·er noun

Synonyms:

ask , question , interrogate , query , inquire mean to address a person in order to gain information. ask implies no more than the putting of a question

ask for directions

question usually suggests the asking of series of questions

questioned them about every detail of the trip

interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation

queried a librarian about the book

inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions

began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

Synonyms:

ask , request , solicit mean to seek to obtain by making one's wants known. ask implies no more than the statement of the desire

ask a favor of a friend

request implies greater formality and courtesy

requests the pleasure of your company

solicit suggests a calling attention to one's wants or desires by public announcement or advertisement

a letter soliciting information

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.