ask

verb12

1. •
   to use a question to try to find out something from someone

   • I asked her age.
   • I didn't know the answer so I asked.
2. •
   To put forward (a question) to be answered.

   • He is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. — 1611
3. •
   To request or petition.
4. •
   To request or enquire of (a person).

   • I asked her (for) her age.
   • I’m going to ask this lady (for) directions.
5. •
   To request (an item or service) (see also ask for).

   • If you want help, you only have to ask.
6. •
   To request (someone to do something).

   • Emma asked Jim to close his eyes.
7. •
   To request permission (to do something).

   • She asked to see the doctor.
   • Did you ask to use the car?
8. •
   To invite.

   • Don’t ask them to the wedding.
9. •
   To require, demand, claim, or expect, whether by way of remuneration or return, or as a matter of necessity.

   • What price are you asking for the house?
   • It’s asking a lot of this old car to make it all the way up to Scotland.
10. •
    (figurative) To indirectly encourage or make more likely (an undesirable outcome).

    • Walking around with such an expensive watch is asking to be mugged.
11. •
    (figurative) To take (a person's situation) as an example.

    • Even when the damage isn't that clear cut, the intangible burdens of a bad image can add up. Just ask Dow Chemical. — 1990
12. •
    To publish in church for marriage; said of both the banns and the persons.

noun6

1. •
   (informal) An act or instance of asking.

   • That really does not seem much of an ask. — 2022
2. •
   (informal) Something asked or asked for.

   • I know this is a big ask, but …
3. •
   (informal) An asking price.
4. •
   (Internet, informal) A message sent to a blog on social networking platform Tumblr, which can be publicly posted and replied to by the recipient.

   • Answering 'asks' like this is one common way that Tumblr bloggers interact with their followers, so it is in the act of publicly answering these asks that I examine community building practices. — 2017
5. •
   (Scotland) An eft; newt.

   • He looked at the beast. It was not an eel. It was very like an ask. — 1876
6. •
   A lizard.

noun1

1. •
   Initialism of amplitude shift keying.