noun
Common
seeking
SEE-kihng
Seeking (noun) means the act of searching or trying to obtain something. Example: “His seeking of the truth took him across three continents.”
noun
1
The act of searching or trying to obtain something.
"His seeking of the truth took him across three continents."
"The seeking of cheaper flights took up most of her Sunday evening."
"Their constant seeking of approval from the manager made the whole team uncomfortable."
adj
1
Looking for or wanting something specified.
"attention-seeking behaviour"
"The company is a firm seeking new graduates for its summer training programme."
"Anyone seeking advice about visas should speak to the helpful staff at the desk."
How to use seeking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of searching for something — or, as an adjective, wanting or looking for something.
Common pairings
job-seeking
attention-seeking
fact-seeking
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Word forms
- Plural
- seekings
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His _____ of the truth took him across three continents.
Etymology
Formed from seek and the suffix -ing.
Related words
Rhymes for seeking
See all rhymes for seeking →Frequently asked questions
What does “seeking” mean?
The word “seeking” means the act of searching or trying to obtain something. In plain terms, the act of searching for something — or, as an adjective, wanting or looking for something.
How do you pronounce “seeking”?
“Seeking” is pronounced SEE-kihng (/ˈsiː.kɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “seeking” in a sentence?
Here is “seeking” used in a sentence: “His seeking of the truth took him across three continents.”
What part of speech is “seeking”?
Depending on how it is used, “seeking” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “seeking” a common word?
“Seeking” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “seeking” have?
“Seeking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of searching or trying to obtain something.
What is the difference between seeking and searching?
The two overlap closely. Searching emphasizes the physical or systematic act of looking, scanning a place for something. Seeking is broader and often more abstract, covering any effort to obtain or attain something, including goals you cannot simply look for, such as seeking approval, justice, or a better life.
Is 'seeking' a noun or a verb?
'Seeking' works as both. As a verb it is the present participle of 'seek,' as in 'they are seeking help.' As a noun it names the activity itself, as in 'the seeking of truth.' This noun use, formed from a verb, is called a gerund and behaves like any other noun in a sentence.
What is an example of 'seeking' used as a noun?
In 'the endless seeking of wealth left him unfulfilled,' seeking names the ongoing act of trying to obtain something. Similar phrases include 'the seeking of knowledge' or 'a lifetime of seeking.' Here the word functions as a noun, referring to the pursuit itself rather than describing a person doing it.
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