1 B1 neutral
To ask for news about someone's health or general wellbeing, especially as a polite social gesture.
"Your old teacher saw me in town and asked after you — she wants to know how university is going."
inseparable
ask after
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
To ask about someone's health, wellbeing, or news, usually as a polite social gesture.
In plain English
Ask how someone is doing, especially when you haven't seen them for a while.
What does "ask after" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
A polite, slightly formal expression. Very common in British English. Typically used when passing on a greeting or showing care for someone who is absent. 'She asked after you' means someone wanted to know how you are.
Words that pair with "ask after"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
health family wife husband mother wellbeing
How to conjugate "ask after"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
ask after
I/you/we/they
3rd person
asks after
he/she/it
Past simple
asked after
yesterday
Past participle
asked after
have + pp
-ing form
asking after
continuous
Hear "ask after" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "ask after" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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