asking

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
ask/ɑːsk/

▶verb

• 1 say something in order to obtain an answer or information: I asked her what she meant.

  ■ (ask after or Scottish for) Brit. enquire about the well-being of.

• 2 say to (someone) that one wants them to do or give something.

  ■ say that one wants permission to do something.

  ■ (ask for) say that one wants to speak to.

  ■ say that one wants (a specified amount) as a price for selling something.

• 3 expect or demand (something) of someone: it's asking a lot, but could you look through Billy's things?

• 4 invite to a social occasion.

  ■ (ask someone out) invite someone out on a date.

▶noun US the asking price of a financial security.

– phrases
a big ask informal a difficult demand to fulfil.
for the asking for little or no effort or cost.
I ask you! informal an exclamation of shock or disapproval.

– derivatives
asker noun.

– origin OE āscian, āhsian, āxian, of W. Gmc origin.