English dictionary



Hint: Question mark (?) is a wildcard. Question mark substitutes one character.

English verb: ask

1. ask (communication) inquire about


SamplesI asked about their special today.
He had to ask directions several times.


ExamplesThey ask whether there was a traffic accident


Synonymsenquire, inquire


Pattern of useSomebody ----s.
Somebody ----s somebody something.
Somebody ----s somebody PP.
Somebody ----s PP.
Somebody ----s whether INFINITIVE


Broader (hypernym)communicate, intercommunicate


Narrower (hyponym)confer with, consult, pry


Verb groupask, ask

2. ask (communication) make a request or demand for something to somebody


SamplesShe asked him for a loan.


ExamplesThey ask him to write the letter


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something from somebody.
Somebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE.
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE.
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE


Broader (hypernym)bespeak, call for, quest, request


Narrower (hyponym)request, solicit

3. ask (communication) direct or put; seek an answer to


SamplesAsk a question.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)articulate, formulate, give voice, phrase, word


Verb groupask, enquire, inquire

4. ask (communication) consider obligatory; request and expect


SamplesWe require our secretary to be on time.
Aren't we asking too much of these children?.
I expect my students to arrive in time for their lessons.


ExamplesThey ask him to write the letter


Synonymsexpect, require


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something from somebody.
Somebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE


Broader (hypernym)demand


Narrower (hyponym)call

5. ask (communication) address a question to and expect an answer from


SamplesAsk your teacher about trigonometry.
The children asked me about their dead grandmother.


ExamplesThey ask them the information


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)address, turn to


Narrower (hyponym)interrogate, query, question, question


Verb groupask, enquire, inquire

6. ask (stative) require as useful, just, or proper


SamplesIt takes nerve to do what she did.
Success usually requires hard work.
This job asks a lot of patience and skill.
This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice.
This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert.
This intervention does not postulate a patient's consent.


Synonymscall for, demand, involve, necessitate, need, postulate, require, take


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)claim, compel, cost, cry for, cry out for, draw, exact, govern, take


Verb groupclaim, exact, take


Antonymsobviate, rid of, eliminate

7. ask (communication) require or ask for as a price or condition


SamplesHe is asking $200 for the table.
The kidnappers are asking a million dollars in return for the release of their hostage.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)demand









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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