ENGLISH
REFERENCE

request

n. countable
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ɹiˈkwɛst// UK //ɹɪkwˈɛst// re·quest Archaic General-service

n. the act of politely asking for something you want or need. You use this word when you want to be more formal than just saying 'ask'.

n. an act of asking politely or formally for something. Often used in administrative or professional contexts to describe the solicitation of information, assistance, or permission.


SIMPLE

The manager approved my request for a day off.

CONTEXTUAL

The library received a formal request to extend its opening hours during the final exam period.

COMPLEX

Despite the diplomatic nature of the request, the embassy declined to provide the specific documents citing national security concerns.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English request, from Old French requeste (French requête), from Vulgar Latin requaesita, from Latin requīsīta, feminine of requīsītus (“requested, demanded”), past participle of requīrō (“require, ask”), composed of re- + quaerō (“to seek, look for”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Italic kʷaizeō, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₂- (“to acquire”). Compare to French requérir.

Usage

Commonly followed by the preposition 'for' when specifying the object of the desire.

Pitfall

make a request about a refundmake a request for a refundThe noun request is typically followed by the preposition 'for' rather than 'about' when identifying what is being asked for.

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