Request

/rɪˈkwɛst/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonLegal
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A formal or polite appeal for something; a statement asking for something.

/rɪˈkwɛst/

nounneutralBeginner
Legal

The act of asking for something.

The museum received many requests for guided tours.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're at a restaurant and ask the waiter for water. That's a request! It's just you politely asking for something you need or want.

👶 For kids: When you ask someone for something, like a toy or a snack!

More Examples

2

She submitted a request for a refund.

3

The software update was made based on user requests.

How It's Used

Business

"The company received a high volume of customer requests for product support."

Diplomacy

"The ambassador submitted a formal request for a meeting with the foreign minister."

Everyday Life

"I put in a request for a day off from work."

2

To ask politely or formally for something; to express a desire for something.

/rɪˈkwɛst/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To ask for something.

I requested a copy of the report.

💡 Simply: When you want something, you can ask for it. Like, 'I request you to bring me the remote!'

👶 For kids: To ask someone if they can do something for you.

More Examples

2

She requested a meeting with the CEO.

3

They requested that the music be turned down.

How It's Used

Customer Service

"The customer requested a replacement for the damaged item."

Technology

"The program requests user input before proceeding."

Communication

"He requested clarification on the new policy."

Tip:Remember, when you 're-quest,' you are actively seeking something.

Idioms & expressions

by request

Because someone asked for it.

"The band played an encore by request."

on request

If asked for.

"The information is available on request."

From Middle English requeste, from Old French requeste (noun) and requester (verb), both from Latin requirere 'to seek, ask for'.

The word 'request' has been used in similar forms for many centuries, showing how the basic human need to ask for things has remained constant.

Memory tip

Think of it as asking for 're-quest' of something (a repeated asking).

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to seek, ask for"

make a requestsubmit a requestfulfill a requestformal requestofficial requestspecial request

Common misspellings

requstrequeastrecuestrequist

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written