ASK FOR

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does ask for mean? 

• ASK FOR (verb)
  The verb ASK FOR has 2 senses:

1. increase the likelihood of

2. express the need or desire for

  Familiarity information: ASK FOR used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ASK FOR (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Increase the likelihood of

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Synonyms:

ask for; invite

Context example:

invite criticism

Hypernyms (to "ask for" is one way to...):

arouse; elicit; enkindle; evoke; fire; kindle; provoke; raise (call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Express the need or desire for

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

ask for; bespeak; call for; quest; request

Context example:

when you call, always ask for Mary

Hypernyms (to "ask for" is one way to...):

communicate; pass; pass along; pass on; put across (transmit information)

Verb group:

call for; invite (request the participation or presence of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "ask for"):

beg off; excuse (ask for permission to be released from an engagement)

book; hold; reserve (arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance)

ask; ask out; invite out; take out (make a date)

call (call a meeting; invite or command to meet)

ask over; ask round; invite (invite someone to one's house)

arrogate; claim; lay claim (demand as being one's due or property; assert one's right or title to)

beg (ask to obtain free)

desire (express a desire for)

ask in; invite (ask to enter)

call for; invite (request the participation or presence of)

claim (ask for legally or make a legal claim to, as of debts, for example)

demand (ask to be informed of)

order (make a request for something)

challenge (ask for identification)

reserve (obtain or arrange (for oneself) in advance)

beg; solicit; tap (make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently)

apply (ask (for something))

supplicate (ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer)

appeal; invoke (request earnestly (something from somebody); ask for aid or protection)

demand (request urgently and forcefully)

petition (write a petition for something to somebody; request formally and in writing)

encore (request an encore, from a performer)

ask (make a request or demand for something to somebody)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

 Context examples 

Some eclipses are difficult and ask for a lot of adjustment, but this eclipse will be sweet as sugar and provide you with exciting options.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

She was really a woman, with a man ripe to ask for her in marriage.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“I have every hope, however, that your horse will start upon Tuesday, and I beg that you will have your jockey in readiness. Might I ask for a photograph of Mr. John Straker?”

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

‘Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,’ he answered, turning away from me with a sneer.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But she had chosen it with her eyes open; and though evidently regretting that her visitors were to go, she did not seem to ask for compassion.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

What more could one ask for?

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

If you see signs of a problem, ask for help.

(Child Behavior Disorders, NIH)

If you have concerns about your gambling, ask for help.

(Compulsive Gambling, NIH: Natonal Institutes of Health)

The person may also ask for forgiveness and forgive others.

(Ethical will, NCI Dictionary)

Rest upon it for the night, and let your orisons ask for guidance in the matter.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)