request

UK /rɪˈkwɛst/ US /rɪˈkwɛst/ Syllables: re-quest

Pronunciation

Noun A2 Elementary Neutral

A polite or formal act of asking for something.

A request is the act of asking for something, or the message in which you ask. You can make a request to a friend, send a request to a company, or answer a request from a customer. The word is polite and a little formal, and it is common at work, in shops and online. It is also a technical word: in computing, a request is a message sent over a network to a server. Request is both a noun and a verb with the same spelling. You make a request (noun) and you request a copy of a form (verb). Both are stressed on the second syllable, re-QUEST. So the noun form of the verb request is simply request, with no change at all.

"She made a request for extra time on the exam."

Meanings

The act of asking for something politely or formally.
A message or document that asks for something, such as an email or a form.
In computing, a message sent over a network that asks a server for something. (technical)

Example sentences

"I made a request for a quiet table."

Level A2, Meaning 1
"Your request has been received."

Level B1, Meaning 2
"The song was played at the request of the bride."

Level B1, Meaning 1
"Requests for time off must be sent a week early."

Level B1, Meaning 2
"The browser sends a request to the server."

Level B2, Meaning 3

Synonyms and antonyms

Synonyms

appeal petition

Look-alikes and common mistakes

demand : A demand is stronger and says something must be done. A request asks politely and leaves room to say no.
require : Require is a related verb that means to need or to order. A request only asks.

Word family and forms

Forms: requests

request (verb) requested requester requestor

Word partners

Words and phrases that often go with "request".

make a request
a polite request
a request for help
at the request of
special request
reasonable request
request for information

Idioms and phrases

by request: Done in answer to a request, as when a song is played because someone asked for it.; "The band played the old song by request."

Origin

Request came into English in the 1300s as Middle English requeste, from Old French. The French word came from Vulgar Latin requaesita, meaning things asked for, which goes back to the Latin verb requirere, to ask for or require, built from re- and quaerere, to seek.

Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.

How to remember it

Hidden inside request is quest. You go on a small quest to get what you ask for.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "I made a _____ for a quiet table."

Answer: request

In your own words, what does "request" mean?