seek

seek

verb \ˈsēk\

sought \ˈsȯt\ seek·ing

Definition of SEEK

transitive verb

1

: to resort to : go to

2

a : to go in search of : look for

b : to try to discover

3

: to ask for : request <seeks advice>

4

: to try to acquire or gain : aim at <seek fame>

5

: to make an attempt : try —used with to and an infinitive <governments…seek to keep the bulk of their people contented — D. M. Potter>

intransitive verb

1

: to make a search or inquiry

2

a : to be sought

b : to be lacking <in critical judgment…they were sadly to seek — Times Literary Supplement>

— seek·er noun

Examples of SEEK

1. The office is seeking a salesperson.
2. The prince is seeking a wife.
3. Snakes seek the sun to warm their bodies.
4. You should visit your doctor and seek his advice.
5. You should seek medical help immediately if you experience any chest pain or shortness of breath.
6. The church is seeking donations.
7. He sought revenge for his son's murder.
8. During the war, she sought asylum in Spain.
9. They sought refuge in Canada.
10. The company is seeking new ways to improve service.

Origin of SEEK

Middle English seken, from Old English sēcan; akin to Old High German suohhen to seek, Latin sagus prophetic, Greek hēgeisthai to lead

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SEEK

Synonyms

cast about (for), cast around (for), chase (down), forage (for), hunt, look up, pursue, quest, search (for or out), shop (for), look for

Related Words

ferret (out), root (out)

Near Antonyms

hide, lose; ignore, neglect

Rhymes with SEEK

beak, bleak, cheek, chic, cleek, clique, creak, creek, Creek, eke, flic, freak, geek, gleek, Greek, keek, leak, leek, meek, peak, peek, peke, pic, pique, reek, screak, sheikh, shriek, sic, Sikh, sleek, sneak, speak, squeak, steek, streak, streek, teak, tweak, weak, week