asker

ask

(ăsk)

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.

n. pl. asks Informal

1. The act of making a request: "He was contacted by the mayor's fund-raiser ... a day after the mayor made the ask" (Jennifer Fermino).

2. Something that is requested: "Being funny on demand is a big ask" (Anne Curzan).

Phrasal Verb:

ask out

To invite (someone) to a social engagement.

Idiom:

ask for it (or trouble) Informal

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

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[Middle English asken, from Old English ācsian, āscian; see ais- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

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ask′er n.

Synonyms: ask, question, inquire, query, interrogate, examine, quiz
These verbs mean to seek to gain or elicit information from another: Ask is the most neutral term: We asked the police officer for directions. The coach asked me what was wrong.
Question implies careful or methodical asking: The prosecutor questioned the witness on several key points.
Inquire often suggests a polite or formal request: We inquired whether the hotel had laundry service. The chairman inquired how best to secure the information.
Query usually suggests settling a doubt: The proofreader queried the author on the spelling of a name.
Interrogate applies especially to official and often aggressive questioning: The detectives interrogated the suspects for several hours.
Examine refers particularly to close and detailed questioning to ascertain a person's knowledge or qualifications: The committee examined each candidate separately.
Quiz denotes the informal examination of students: The teacher quizzed the pupils on the multiplication table.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

asker - someone who asks a question     enquirer, inquirer, querier, questioner cross-examiner, cross-questioner - someone who questions a witness carefully (especially about testimony given earlier) examiner, quizzer, tester - someone who administers a test to determine your qualifications inquisitor, interrogator - a questioner who is excessively harsh interviewer - a person who conducts an interview headcounter, poll taker, pollster, canvasser - someone who conducts surveys of public opinion; "a pollster conducts public opinion polls"; "a headcounter counts heads" speaker, talker, verbaliser, verbalizer, utterer - someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous); "the speaker at commencement"; "an utterer of useful maxims"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.