A noun meaning a formal act of asking for something, an item asked for, or a request made in response to a need or desire. It denotes a solicitation that may be granted or denied and can function in various contexts such as services, information, or actions. In everyday use, it often implies politeness and procedural consideration.
"- I submitted a request for information about the policy changes."
"- The airline fulfilled my request for a window seat."
"- Please forward the request to the appropriate department."
"- The committee granted the request after review."
The word request derives from the Old French requeste, from requester ‘to demand’ or ‘to seek’. It originated in the medieval Latin requisitus, from requirere ‘to seek, require’ (re- ‘again’ + quaerere ‘to seek, ask’). The sense evolved from a formal, often legal or ecclesiastical inquiry or demand in Norman-French and Latin-influenced medieval English to modern usage that encompasses polite, formal, or administrative asking for information, permission, or action. By the 14th–15th centuries, English had adopted “request” in the sense of a formal act of asking in service and governance contexts; its use broadened through bureaucratic and organizational communication, while maintaining its formal tone. In contemporary English, “request” can be used across professional, service-oriented, and casual environments, often contrasted with “order” or “demand” to signal politeness and procedural legitimacy. The term consistently carries a tone of civility and formality, regardless of the setting.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Request" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Request" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Request"
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Pronounced re-QUEST, with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA US/UK/AU: /rɪˈkwɛst/. The initial /r/ is a voiced alveolar approximate, followed by a short /ɪ/ vowel; the second syllable contains /kw/ onset and a clear /ɛ/ vowel before final /st/. Put your tongue near the alveolar ridge for /t/ and a light release for /s/. Listen for the crisp final consonant cluster /st/ without extra vowel. You can mentally echo ‘re’ as a quick, unstressed prefix and anchor on QUEST as the focal point of articulation.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (saying RE-quest with emphasis on the first syllable) and softening the /t/ or fusing /st/ into /s/ or /t/ sounds. Another frequent issue is clipping the /r/ in non-rhotic contexts or inserting a schwa before -quest (re-quest). To correct: keep the primary stress on the second syllable, ensure an audible /kw/ onset before /ɛ/ and clearly release /s/ and /t/ in sequence. Practice by saying re-QUEST slowly, then with natural speed, ensuring the final /st/ is distinct.
In US and UK accents, /r/ is rhotic in American pronunciation and non-rhotic in many British varieties; however, for this word, both typically produce /rɪˈkwɛst/ with rhotics in American speech and a similar quality in many UK speakers. Australian English tends toward a rhotic-like production in most contexts, with /ɹ/ realization influenced by surrounding vowels. The /ɛ/ in -est tends toward a clear mid-front vowel in all, while the /kw/ onset remains consistent. Overall, main differences are subtle: rhotic articulation and vowel quality vary slightly by accent, but the stress pattern remains strong on -quest.
Two main challenges: the initial consonant cluster transition from /r/ to /kw/ and the final /st/ cluster. The /kw/ combination requires a quick, tight lip rounding for the /w/ and a strong velar onset toward /k/ before /w/; the /st/ cluster demands a crisp release without vowel intrusion. Also, the second syllable carries the primary stress, which can feel counterintuitive if you’re not expecting it. Focus on separate articulation of /r/ and /kw/ then connect to /ɛst/ with a steady tempo.
The word has a straightforward pronunciation with no silent letters. The critical aspect is the strong secondary peak on the syllable -quest, and ensuring the /t/ is released crisply rather than merged with the following sound in rapid speech. Some learners might sound overly nasal on /ɛ/ or dilute the /kw/ onset; maintaining a precise /kw/ onset and a clear /ɛ/ vowel helps anchor the word in natural, confident speech.
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