1 B1 informal
To invite someone to come to your home or come inside, especially after meeting them or spending time together.
"After the film they walked home, and she asked him back for a coffee."
separable
ask back
B1 informal separable transitive
To invite someone to come back to your home or a place after they have left, or to invite someone in return after they have invited you.
In plain English
Invite someone to come to your home, either to return or to come back for the first time as a return invitation.
What does "ask back" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 informal
To invite someone to your home as a return of hospitality they have previously shown you.
"They've had us over three times and never asked us back — it's a bit rude."
separable
Usage tip
Most commonly used in two ways: (1) asking someone to come inside your home ('she asked him back for coffee'), and (2) reciprocating a social invitation ('they always come to ours but never ask us back'). Common in British English.
Words that pair with "ask back"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
coffee drinks dinner home place party
How to conjugate "ask back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
ask back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
asks back
he/she/it
Past simple
asked back
yesterday
Past participle
asked back
have + pp
-ing form
asking back
continuous
Hear "ask back" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "ask back" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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