asking

ask  (sk)

v. asked, ask·ing, asks

v.tr.

1. To put a question to: When we realized that we didn't know the answer, we asked the teacher.

2. To seek an answer to: ask a question.

3. To seek information about: asked directions.

4.

a. To make a request of: asked me for a loan.

b. To make a request for. Often used with an infinitive or clause: ask a favor of a friend; asked to go along on the trip; asked that he be allowed to stay out late.

5. To require or call for as a price or condition: asked ten dollars for the book.

6. To expect or demand: ask too much of a child.

7. To invite: asked them to dinner.

8. Archaic To publish, as marriage banns.

v.intr.

1. To make inquiry; seek information.

2. To make a request: asked for help.

Idioms:

ask for it/trouble Informal

To persist in an action despite the likelihood that it will result in difficulty or punishment.

ask out

To invite (someone) to a social engagement.

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[Middle English asken, from Old English csian, scian; see ais- in Indo-European roots.]

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asker n.

Synonyms: ask, question, inquire, query, interrogate, examine, quiz
These verbs mean to seek information. Ask is the most neutral term: The coach asked me what was wrong.
Question implies careful and continuous asking: The prosecutor questioned the witness in great detail.
Inquire refers to a simple request for information: The committee will inquire how it can be of help.
Query usually suggests settling a doubt: The proofreader queried the spelling of the word.
Interrogate applies especially to official questioning: The detectives interrogated the suspects.
Examine refers particularly to close and detailed questioning to ascertain a person's knowledge or qualifications: Only lawyers who have been examined and certified by the bar association are admitted to practice.
Quiz denotes the informal examination of students: The teacher quizzed the pupils on the state capitals.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

asking - the verbal act of requesting         request speech act - the use of language to perform some act notice, notification - a request for payment; "the notification stated the grace period and the penalties for defaulting" indirect request, wish - an expression of some desire or inclination; "I could tell that it was his wish that the guests leave"; "his crying was an indirect request for attention" invitation - a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something; "an invitation to lunch"; "she threw the invitation away" appeal, entreaty, prayer - earnest or urgent request; "an entreaty to stop the fighting"; "an appeal for help"; "an appeal to the public to keep calm" orison, petition, prayer - reverent petition to a deity call - a request; "many calls for Christmas stories"; "not many calls for buggywhips" billing, charge - request for payment of a debt; "they submitted their charges at the end of each month" trick or treat - a request by children on Halloween; they pass from door to door asking for goodies and threatening to play tricks on those who refuse inquiring, questioning - a request for information order - a request for something to be made, supplied, or served; "I gave the waiter my order"; "the company's products were in such demand that they got more orders than their call center could handle" callback, recall - a request by the manufacturer of a defective product to return the product (as for replacement or repair)

Translations

asking

n no pl to be had for the asking → umsonst or leicht or mühelos zu haben sein; he could have had it for the asking → er hätte es leicht bekommen können; she thought the world was hers for the asking → sie dachte, die Welt stehe ihr offen