ask and require share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. ask means “make a request or demand for something to somebody”. require means “require as useful, just, or proper”. ask is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈæsk/
1.v.make a request or demand for something to somebody
“She asked him for a loan”
2.v.direct or put; seek an answer to
“ask a question”
3.v.consider obligatory; request and expect
“We require our secretary to be on time”
1.v.require as useful, just, or proper
“It takes nerve to do what she did”
2.v.consider obligatory; request and expect
“We require our secretary to be on time”
3.v.make someone do something
| ask | require | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈæsk/ | /ˌɹiˈkwaɪɚ/ |
| Said | ask | ree-KWAHY-ur |
| Syllables | 1 | 3 |
| Letters | 3 | 7 |
| Parts of speech | verb | verb |
| Senses | 7 | 4 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | none recorded | necessitate, ask, postulate |
Full entry for ask · Full entry for require · More comparisons