seek
SEEK
Seek (verb) means to try to find something. Example: “Police are seeking witnesses to the accident.”
verb
1
To try to find something.
"Police are seeking witnesses to the accident."
"She spent months seeking a publisher for her novel."
"Volunteers will seek the missing dog along the river this evening."
2
To try to obtain or achieve something.
"He is seeking a promotion this year."
"Many graduates seek work abroad to gain experience."
"The charity seeks to raise enough money for a new playground."
3
To ask for something, such as advice or permission.
"You should seek legal advice before signing anything."
"Many students seek guidance from their tutors before choosing a course."
"If you are unsure, seek permission from the manager first."
How to use seek
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo actively look for or try to get something.
When to use it
Seek is more formal than the everyday "look for" — common in written or professional English.
Common pairings
seek advice
seek help
seek employment
seek permission
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Word forms
- Plural
- seeks
- Third person singular
- seeks
- Past tense
- sought, seeked
- Archaic forms
- seekest, soughtest, seeketh
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Police are _____ witnesses to the accident.
Etymology
From Old English secan, "to seek, search for," from a Proto-Germanic root also found in Dutch zoeken and German suchen.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for seek
See all rhymes for seek →Frequently asked questions
What does “seek” mean?
The word “seek” means to try to find something. In plain terms, to actively look for or try to get something.
How do you pronounce “seek”?
“Seek” is pronounced SEEK (/ˈsiːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “seek” in a sentence?
Here is “seek” used in a sentence: “Police are seeking witnesses to the accident.”
What part of speech is “seek”?
“Seek” is a verb.
Where does the word “seek” come from?
The word “seek” comes from Old English. From Old English secan, "to seek, search for," from a Proto-Germanic root also found in Dutch zoeken and German suchen.
Is “seek” a common word?
“Seek” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “seek” have?
“Seek” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to try to find something.
What is the difference between seek and search?
Both involve trying to find something, but seek focuses on the goal while search focuses on the activity. You seek a solution, a job, or advice — often abstract things — whereas you search a room or a database. Seek is also more formal and literary; search is the everyday, hands-on word.
What is the past tense of seek?
The past tense and past participle of seek are both "sought." So you say "I sought help yesterday" and "I had sought answers for weeks." It is an irregular verb, which is why the ending does not simply become "seeked." The same root gives us phrases like "much sought-after."
Is seek a formal word?
Seek leans formal and is common in writing, law, and set phrases such as "seek asylum," "seek permission," or "seek professional advice." In casual conversation people usually say "look for" or "try to find" instead. Choosing seek lends a sentence a more serious, deliberate, or official tone.
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