asking
/ˈæskɪŋ/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.96 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
present participle of ask
Example Sentences
- "It was as when some great gentle dog brings in a limp and bedraggled prize dug from the yard and, laying it at one’s feet, looks up at one with soft asking eyes."
- "[…] all of them looked at each other in an asking way."
- "He stepped to me while taking purchase on the handrail and looked through me with an asking look; finally he added with a sardonic smile. "I know now that you feel; hatred coming from deep.""
- "His asking was greeted with silence."
- "The large eyes sought his own, as if asking for help, and yet unable to do more than look their mute asking."
- "Form's silent asking, man's loving speech, the mute proclamation of the creature, are all gates leading into the presence of the Word."
Etymology
From Middle English askinge, askande, from Old English āsciende, from Proto-West Germanic *aiskōndī, present participle of Proto-West Germanic *aiskōn (“to ask”), equivalent to ask + -ing.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈæskɪŋ/
- British English: /ˈɑːskɪŋ/