Request
noun/verbBase request · Past requested · Past Participle requested · Present Participle requesting · 3rd person requests
Definition
1. (noun) The act of politely or formally asking for something — often in writing or in a professional setting.
2. (verb) To politely or formally ask for something, especially when it is something you have a right to or expect.
3. (noun) A specific song, piece of music, or favour that someone asks for at a radio show, party, or event.
2. (verb) To politely or formally ask for something, especially when it is something you have a right to or expect.
3. (noun) A specific song, piece of music, or favour that someone asks for at a radio show, party, or event.
Context Alive
You're at a friend's wedding and the DJ has been taking song requests all evening. You finally walk over with your favourite slow song and write it on a small piece of paper. Ten minutes later, the music changes and you watch your aunt drag your uncle onto the dance floor as soon as she hears the first note. You smile, raise your glass, and stay near the speakers for the rest of the song. By the time it ends, even people who said they wouldn't dance are out there too.
Meanings
3 meanings
1
A Polite or Formal Ask (Noun)
Very Common
▼
This meaning is about an official or polite ask — something you put into words because you want or need it. Imagine an employee sending their manager a written request to take two weeks off in August — clear, polite, and formal. This is describing the kind of careful asking that happens in workplaces, government offices, schools, and customer service. You might say "I'd like to make a request", or someone could write "your request has been received" in a professional email. Or picture a tenant sending a request to the landlord asking him to fix a broken radiator — written down, dated, and on record. The word suggests structure, politeness, and a slightly formal tone.
✏️ Common phrases: make a request, send a request, grant a request, deny a request, on request, by request, at someone's request. Notice the difference: on request means "when asked" ("menus available on request") while by request means "because someone asked" ("this song is by request"). The word is more polite and formal than "ask," so it sounds professional in emails and letters.
2
To Politely or Formally Ask (Verb)
Very Common
▼
This meaning is about asking for something in a polite, professional, or formal way. Imagine a passenger at the airline desk who requests a window seat for the eight-hour flight to Tokyo. This is describing the polite, slightly formal version of "ask for" — used when there's a process, a system, or simply a respectful tone involved. You might say "I'd like to request a refund", or someone could write "please request the document from HR" in an internal email. Or picture a journalist requesting an interview with a politician — written, polite, and following the proper procedure. The word suggests respect, structure, and a sense that the person being asked has the right to say no.
✏️ Request as a verb is a step up from "ask" in formality. Use it in business emails, official letters, customer service interactions, and any context where you want to sound respectful. Two structures to remember: request + something ("I requested a copy of the report") and request that + clause ("I requested that the meeting be rescheduled"). Don't confuse it with require — "require" means demand/need, while "request" means politely ask.
3
A Song or Piece Asked For (Noun)
Medium
▼
This meaning is the lighter, social use of the noun — a specific song, dedication, or item you ask for at a public event or radio show. Imagine driving home late at night with the radio on, and the host saying, "And here's a special request from Lisa to her dad — happy birthday!" before playing his favourite song. This is describing requested entertainment — songs, dedications, performances, sometimes food at a restaurant or videos online. You might say "do you take song requests?", or someone could write "this video is by request from a subscriber". Or picture a wedding band that opens the evening by asking guests for requests, then plays a wide mix of songs from across decades. The word suggests fun, personal connection, and being seen.
✏️ This usage is everywhere in entertainment culture — song request, request line, request show, on request, and "this one is by request" are all common phrases. It's softer and warmer than the formal meanings — when someone makes a song request, there's an emotional element behind it. Wedding DJs, radio hosts, party bands, and content creators all live in this world.
Common Patterns
Verb Structures
request + noun → the standard pattern
She requested a quiet seat near the back of the plane.
request that + clause → more formal structure with a full clause
He requested that the meeting be moved to Friday.
request + permission/help/information → common abstract objects
The journalist requested permission to record the interview.
Noun Structures
make a request → to ask for something formally
I'd like to make a request for unpaid leave next month.
grant / deny a request → to approve or refuse the ask
The court denied his request for an appeal.
on / by / at + request → fixed phrases with different meanings
Vegan options are available on request.
Collocations
10 collocationsmake a request
to formally ask for something
send a request
to deliver a formal ask, often in writing
grant a request
to approve what was asked
deny / refuse a request
to reject what was asked
on request
available when asked for
by request
because someone specifically asked
at someone's request
because that specific person asked
request a meeting
to ask for a scheduled discussion
request information
to ask for facts or data
song request
a song someone asks to be played
Example Sentences
10 examples
1
She requested a copy of the report from her colleague.
She politely asked her colleague to send her a copy of the report.
2
I'd like to make a request for two weeks of unpaid leave.
I'd like to formally ask for two weeks off without pay.
3
Vegetarian meals are available on request.
Vegetarian dishes can be provided when asked for.
4
The court denied his request for an appeal.
The court refused his formal application for an appeal.
5
He requested permission to leave the room early.
He politely asked to leave the room earlier than scheduled.
6
This song is by request from one of our listeners in Manchester.
This track is being played because a listener from Manchester asked for it.
7
Please request the missing documents directly from the IT team.
Kindly ask the IT team for the missing files yourself.
8
Your request has been received and will be processed within 48 hours.
We have received your formal ask and will handle it within two days.
9
She requested that the meeting be moved to Friday afternoon.
She formally asked for the meeting to be rescheduled to Friday afternoon.
10
The DJ took song requests from the wedding guests all evening.
The DJ accepted song suggestions from the wedding guests throughout the night.
Synonyms & Antonyms
6 items
Synonymsask for
more general and casual everyday equivalent
apply for
used for jobs, permits, official processes
petition
more formal, often used for legal or political asks
Antonymsdemand
to ask forcefully, the opposite of polite request
command
to order rather than ask
refuse
to say no to a request