ask

verb (QUESTION)

/ɑːsk/

/æsk/

Definition

B1 [I or T] to put a question to someone, or to request an answer from someone: [+ two objects] She asked me a question. Can I ask you a favour?/formal Can I ask a favour of you? She asked a question about Welsh history. She asked me about Welsh history. She asked about Welsh history. [+ question word] I've no idea what time the train leaves. Ask the guard whether he knows. I asked the guard the time of the train's departure. I asked when the train would leave. [+ speech] "What time does the train leave?" I asked. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask. You should ask (your accountant) for some financial advice. [+ to infinitive] You should ask your accountant to give you some financial advice. I asked to see my accountant. I'd like to ask your advice/opinion on a financial matter. You have to ask permission to leave. [+ that] formal The solicitor asked that her client be allowed to make a phone call.formal We ask that any faulty goods be returned in their original packaging.Questioning people and asking questions in generalCuriositySuspecting and questioning ask yourself sth C2 to consider something carefully: She needs to ask herself why nobody seems to like her.

(Definition of ask verb (QUESTION) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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