verb

ask

ahsk

verb

To put a question to someone, or to request information.

"She asked what time the train left."

"He asked the waiter for the check."

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."

To invite someone.

"He asked her to the party on Friday."

noun

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."

The price a seller is asking for something.

"The ask on the house was well above market value."

How to Use Ask

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

asked past tense, aksed past tense, ask plural, asken plural, asked plural, aksed plural, asks plural, asks plural, Asks plural, asks singular, ask singular, aks singular, asked singular, aksed singular, askest singular, askedst singular, akses singular, asketh singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “ask” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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."

Rhymes for ask

mask task cask bask flask Trask unmask

See all rhymes for ask →