Definition Synonyms
Definition of asking - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
questionact of posing a question or request
- His asking was met with silence.
2.
commercethe price or value stated for sale
- The asking for the antique vase was too high..
3.
communicationspecific request or petition
- The asking was for a small favor.
4.
marriage bannsDated UK public announcement of an intended marriageDated UK
- The askings were read in church.
Adjective
inquiringexpressing a question or request
- The asking student raised his hand.
Expressions with asking
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acting in a way likely to bring problems, especially after warnings
Driving home in the storm is asking for trouble.
indicate provoking a problematic or dangerous situation
By teasing the dog, you are asking for trouble.
requesting something very difficult or impossible to get
You're asking for the moon if you want a raise now.
asking a question to avoid embarrassment
Is it normal to eat ice cream for breakfast? Asking for a friend.
available upon request without effort
The information is for the asking at the library.
provoking difficulties by ignoring warnings
Parking in front of a fire hydrant? It's just asking for trouble.
expresses surprise or acknowledgment of a difficult question
Now you're asking! That's a tough question to answer.
acting quickly and aggressively without thinking or asking questions
He took a shooting first and asking questions later approach in negotiations.
doing something likely to cause problems
Leaving your car unlocked downtown? That’s asking for trouble.
requesting something that cannot be done
If you expect me to do it tonight, that's asking the impossible.
without risk or negative consequences
You should apply for the job; there's no harm in asking.
used to ask who wants to know something
"Where do you live?" "Who's asking?"
initial price set by a seller for an item
The asking price for the house is $300,000.
say sorry before asking something possibly rude or personal
Excuse me for asking, but how old are you?
shows gratitude when someone asks about you
Thanks for asking, I'm doing well.
show that a response or action is obvious and expected without asking
He need no asking to join the team.
Origin of asking
Old English, ascian (ask)
Terms with asking included in their meaning
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question
asking for information about something
question
asking if someone can hear your voice
communication
asking about someone's condition or situation
frequency
asking about the regularity of something
age inquiry
asking about someone's age
weather inquiry
asking about current weather conditions
conversation
asking for someone's opinion or feelings
question
asking someone about their desires
question
asking for information about something
asking current time
ask someone to tell the current time
asking for information
used to inquire about something unfamiliar
question
asking for someone's family name
inquiry
asking for the name of someone
request
asking for someone's phone contact
travel
asking about the destination or future plans
location
asking for someone's current location
location inquiry
asking about the location of someone's parents
location query
asking for the location of a toilet
abr: who is
short form for asking about someone's identity or actions
event request
act of asking someone to join an event
language
asking for or granting permission
silence
asking for silence or quiet
measurement
asking about amount or degree
question
asking for information specifying one or more people or things
Examples of asking in a sentence
Her asking led to an unexpected answer. The asking for the painting was negotiable. She couldn't afford the asking for the car. The asking was met with silence. His asking was misunderstood by the committee. The askings were posted on the notice board.
They announced the askings last Sunday. The asking child wanted to know more about the stars. Her asking expression showed curiosity about the topic.
View all translations of asking
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:demande, interrogateur, ...
- German:Bitten, fragend, ...
- Italian:richiesta, richiedente, ...
- Spanish:pregunta, indagador, ...
- Portuguese:pedido, questionador, ...
- Chinese:询问, 提问的, ...
- Japanese:質問, 質問している, ...
- Arabic:سؤال, طَالِب, ...
- Hebrew:שְׁאֵלָה, שׁוֹאֵל, ...
- Russian:вопрос, спрашивающий, ...
- Ukrainian:запитання, запитливий, ...
- Hindi:पूछना, जिज्ञासु, ...
Definition of ask - Reverso English Dictionary
Verb
1.
questionput forward a question to be answered
- He asked if anyone knew the answer.
2.
seeking informationrequest information from someone
- I will ask the teacher about the assignment.?
3.
communicationrequest or petition for something
- They asked for more time to complete the project.
4.
invitationRare invite someone to an event or placeRare
- She asked him to the party.
5.
necessityRare require or demand as a necessityRare
- This job asks a lot of patience.
Noun
1.
requestact of requesting something
- Her ask was for more time to complete the project.
2.
commercethe price being requested for something
- The ask for the painting was too high.
3.
- She received an ask on her blog.
4.
reptileDated UK lizard or newt in dialectal useDated UK
- He found an ask by the pond.
Images of ask

lizard or newt in dialectal use
Expressions with ask
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
request something verbally or in writing
She decided to ask for a raise at work..
enquire about someone's health or progress
She asked after his mother at the meeting.
make inquiries within a group of people
If you're unsure, just ask around at work for advice..
invite someone to enter a place
She decided to ask in her neighbors for coffee.
invite someone to go on a date
He decided to ask me out for dinner.
invite someone to join a social event
She asked him out to the party.
invite someone to one's home
We decided to ask over some friends for dinner.
ask for something that cannot be done or achieved
Don't ask the impossible of your team.
encourage someone to ask questions freely
If you have any doubts, just ask away.
cause trouble or problems for yourself by your actions
If you act like that, you ask for it.
inquire in a group for information or opinions
She decided to ask round at work to get everyone's views on the project..
used to avoid explaining something strange or embarrassing
Why is your shirt inside out? Don't ask.
I don't know the answer
Don't ask me, I have no idea.
in my opinion
If you ask me, the movie was too long.
encourage trying to ask since no harm comes from it
It doesn't hurt to ask if they have any discounts available!
to take quick action without checking details first
He tends to shoot first and ask questions later in meetings.
expresses satisfaction with a situation
The weather is perfect and the food is great, what more can you ask?
act decisively without gathering all information
In negotiations, he tends to shoot first, ask questions later.
demand something impossible or unreasonable
She tends to ask for the moon when negotiating her salary.
act in a way likely to cause problems
If you go there alone, you ask for trouble.
avoid asking questions to keep things private
Ask me no questions about the surprise party.
ask directly without hesitation or indirectness
She asked point-blank if he was lying.
significant or challenging demand
Raising a million dollars in a month is a big ask.
act quickly without thinking about consequences
He tends to shoot first, ask later in business deals.
Origin of ask
Old English, ascian (to seek)
Examples of ask in a sentence
They asked about the new project details. She will ask her friend for directions. He decided to ask the manager for a raise. She asked if she could borrow the book. He asked the teacher for clarification on the topic. He asked her to join him for dinner.
They asked their friends to the wedding. The project asks a significant amount of resources. Parenting asks endless patience and understanding. The ask was too demanding for the team. His ask for a raise was denied. The ask for the vintage car was negotiable. Investors were surprised by the high ask in the auction. He sent an ask to his favorite blogger. An anonymous ask appeared in her inbox. The children were fascinated by the ask in the terrarium. An ask scurried across the garden path.
View all translations of ask
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:demander, demande, ...
- German:fragen, Anfrage, ...
- Italian:chiedere, richiesta, ...
- Spanish:preguntar, solicitud, ...
- Portuguese:perguntar, pedido, ...
- Chinese:问, 要价, ...
- Japanese:尋ねる, 要求, ...
- Arabic:سَأَلَ, طلب, ...
- Hebrew:לִשְׁאוֹל, בַּקָּשָׁה, ...
- Russian:спросить, просьба, ...
- Ukrainian:запитати, прохання, ...
- Hindi:पूछना, अनुरोध, ...
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