asked
ˈas(k)t 
ˈäs(k)t,
ˈask;
dialectal ˈakst
; asking
1
2
a
: to make a request of
She asked her teacher for help.
b
: to make a request for
She asked help from her teacher.
3
: to call for : require
a challenge that will ask much of us
4
: to set as a price
asked $3000 for the car
5
: invite
She asked a few friends to the party.
asker
noun
chiefly British, informal
: something asked for, requested, or required of someone
—used especially in phrases like a big ask and a tough ask to say that what is being asked for or hoped for is difficult or unlikely
It's a big ask, I think, demanding audiences recall a plot from two years ago, and while normally I don't mind a big ask … this particular ask utterly defeated me.—
Deborah Ross
Deborah Ross
Phrases
ask for it
informal
: to behave in a way that invites punishment or retribution
Experts used to think that battered women were "asking for it"—somehow masochistically provoking abuse from their men. Mercifully, that idea has now been discredited.—Michele Ingrassia
Michele Ingrassia
informal
: to behave in a way that is likely to result in trouble
… you are asking for trouble if you try to lift too much weight …—Douglas Jeffrey
Douglas JeffreyExamples of ask in a Sentence
Verb
I need to ask a question.
Did you ask her yet?
“Have you seen the movie yet?” he asked.
a list of frequently asked questions
“If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?” “I'm 35 years old. Why do you ask?”
“Do they have any soda?” “I don't know. I'll go ask.”
I would have given it to him, but he never asked.
We had to stop and ask directions.
May I ask the time?
Did you ask permission to leave?
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Deadline understands that 26 crew members of Tulsa King‘s 600-member crew were asked not to return for Season 4, which is expected to resume production in a week.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
If the pair matches up again in Game 6, either Gausman must be essentially perfect or the Jays’ bats must find a way against Yamamoto — neither are simple asks.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ask
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Verb
Morelli also corresponded with the man obtaining the videos for him and asked that the torture of the animals be prolonged in subsequent videos, according to a copy of the indictment filed in the case and obtained by PEOPLE.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Deadline understands that 26 crew members of Tulsa King‘s 600-member crew were asked not to return for Season 4, which is expected to resume production in a week.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
Dorn, who has spearheaded all photography for Variety since 2018, notes that an elaborate photo shoot is a big ask of people who are already faced with being photographed all the time for their work or because of their celebrity.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
If the pair matches up again in Game 6, either Gausman must be essentially perfect or the Jays’ bats must find a way against Yamamoto — neither are simple asks.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ask
Cite this Entry
“Ask.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ask. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: to seek information : inquire
asked about our trip
2
a
: to make a request
ask for help
b
: to make a request to
ask your teacher to help you
3
: to set as a price : demand
asked $20 for the bicycle
4
: invite entry 1 sense 2a
asked friends to a party
5
: to behave as if looking
asking for trouble
asker
noun
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