ask
ask
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /æsk/
/æsk/
Word Form Variations
Word Form Variations:
Verb: ask, asks, asking, asked
Noun: ask (less common, usually used in phrases like "a big ask")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To request information or an answer from someone.
Synonyms: inquire, question, query, interrogate
Antonyms: answer, respond, reply, tell
To make a request for something.
Synonyms: request, solicit, plead, demand (stronger)
Antonyms: give, offer, provide, supply
To invite someone to an event or to do something.
Synonyms: invite, bid, summon, call
Antonyms: dismiss, exclude, reject, refuse
Noun
A request or demand for something. (Often used in a slightly informal or specific context, e.g., "That's a big ask.")
Synonyms: request, plea, demand, query
Antonyms: answer, response, gift, donation
Examples of Use
Books:
"All he had to do was ask, and she would have given him the world." (From a contemporary romance novel, exact title varies but common phrasing)
"The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club." (Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club - While not using "ask," the essence of not asking questions is central to the concept.)
"It was not for him to ask, but to obey." (Often found in historical fiction or works describing strict hierarchies)
Newspapers:
"Regulators ask for more time to review the merger." (Headline, The Wall Street Journal)
"Community leaders ask residents to remain vigilant after recent incidents." (Local News Daily)
"Analysts ask whether the current market rally is sustainable." (Financial Times)
Online Publications:
"How to Ask for a Raise: A Step-by-Step Guide." (Article title, Forbes.com)
"Tech giant faces new questions as users ask about data privacy." (TechCrunch.com)
"The subreddit r/AskReddit is a popular forum where users can ask questions and receive answers from the community." (Reddit.com, general description of the subreddit)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television (Dialogue): "Can I ask you a question?" (Common phrase in almost any drama, comedy, or interview show)
Film (Dialogue): "You didn't ask me if I wanted to go!" (Line from a romantic comedy, common expression of feeling left out)
Music (Lyrics): "Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies." (Lyrics from various songs, a common idiom)
Podcast (Host): "Today, we're going to ask the hard questions about the future of AI." (The Daily)
Video Games (Quest Log): "Go to the village elder and ask about the ancient artifact." (Common quest objective in role-playing games)
General Public Discourse:
"I need to ask my boss if I can work from home tomorrow." (Everyday conversation)
"That's a big ask, but I'll see what I can do." (Informal response to a challenging request)
"Did you remember to ask for extra napkins?" (Common household interaction)
"They never even asked for my opinion." (Expression of feeling disregarded)
10 Famous Quotes Using Ask
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." — The Bible, Matthew 7:7
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Ask for what you want." — Wayne Gretzky (often paraphrased by others, including Michael Scott on The Office)
"Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country." — John F. Kennedy
"The wise man doesn’t give the right answers, he poses the right questions. So ask better questions." — Claude Lévi-Strauss
"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple. Just ask." — Dr. Seuss
"Don’t be afraid to ask dumb questions. They’re more easily handled than dumb mistakes." — Unknown (widely quoted in educational settings)
"It is better to ask some of the questions than to know all the answers." — James Thurber
"To ask the right question is already half the solution." — Carl Jung
"Never be afraid to ask for what you want. The worst they can say is no." — Oprah Winfrey
"If you don’t ask, the answer is always no." — Nora Roberts
Etymology
The word "ask" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots all the way back to an ancient language called Proto-Indo-European. This is a reconstructed language that's considered the ancestor of many modern European and Indian languages.
The very first meaning of the word's ancestor, *h₂eys-, was something like "to wish" or "to desire" or "to request." This core idea of making a request or seeking something has stuck with the word throughout its evolution.
From Proto-Indo-European, it evolved into Proto-Germanic, and then into Old English as "āscian" (pronounced somewhat like "ah-shian"). This is where we see the first confirmed uses of the word in English, appearing before the year 1150. At this stage, it already meant what it means today: to "call for an answer" or "make a request."
Interestingly, in Old English, there was also a common variant "acsian" (pronounced "ax-ian"). This "ax" pronunciation was actually quite common and accepted in English for a long time, even appearing in early English Bible translations (like the Coverdale Bible in 1535). It wasn't until around the time of Shakespeare (late 1500s to early 1600s) that the "ask" form became the dominant and standard pronunciation we use today. The "ax" pronunciation persisted in some dialects, especially in certain parts of the US and in African American Vernacular English.
So, in simple terms, "ask" comes from a very old word meaning "to wish" or "to request," and while its spelling and pronunciation have shifted over centuries, its core meaning has remained remarkably consistent.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Ask
Ask for it: To behave in a way that is likely to cause trouble for oneself.
Ask around: To inquire among several people for information.
Ask out: To invite someone on a date.
Ask in: To invite someone inside, usually into one's home.
Ask after (someone): To inquire about someone's health or well-being.
Ask for trouble: To do something that is likely to lead to problems.
A big ask: Something difficult or demanding to request.
Don't ask, don't tell: A policy or unspoken agreement to not inquire about or reveal certain sensitive information.
To ask the impossible: To make a request that cannot be fulfilled.
To ask too much (of someone): To make an unreasonable or excessive demand on someone.
To ask a foolish question (and get a foolish answer): Implies that the quality of the answer is dependent on the quality of the question.
To ask for directions: To request instructions on how to get to a place.
To ask permission: To request approval to do something.
To ask a favor: To request a helpful act from someone.
To ask for the moon: To ask for something highly unlikely or impossible to obtain (similar to "ask the impossible").
If you ask me: In my opinion.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of ask from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
