seek

1 of 2

verb

ˈsēk 

sought ˈsȯt  ; seeking

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

In the twentieth century, international treaties and institutions sought to ban war …

—Lauren Benton

intransitive verb

1

: to make a search or inquiry

2

a

: to be sought

b

: to be lacking

seeker noun

seeker

2 of 2

noun

seek·​er

-kə(r)

plural -s

: one that seeks or is used in seeking

a tone more suggestive of the scientific seeker for the truth

—B. N. Cardozo

: such as

a

usually capitalized : one of a small group of the English Independents who claimed religious liberty, who professed to seek further revelation as to the true church, ministry, and sacraments, and many of whom joined the Friends

b

: a slender instrument that has a smooth rounded end and is used in dissecting to follow up delicate tubular structures : a slender probe

c

: a device in a missile that is attracted to some form of emission (as light, heat, sound, or radio waves)

also : a missile equipped with such a device

Synonyms of seek

Verb

• pursue

Examples of seek in a Sentence

Verb

The office is seeking a salesperson.

The prince is seeking a wife.

Snakes seek the sun to warm their bodies.

You should visit your doctor and seek his advice.

You should seek medical help immediately if you experience any chest pain or shortness of breath.

The church is seeking donations.

He sought revenge for his son's murder.

During the war, she sought asylum in Spain.

They sought refuge in Canada.

The company is seeking new ways to improve service.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Residents of eastern regions have been issued warnings to seek shelter during Russian airstrikes on neighbouring western Ukraine. — Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

Europe hardens on migration as nationalist support grows European countries sought to harden migration rules in a bid to quell support for nationalist parties across the continent. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Collecting data from the medical tents on race courses where runners seek care is the best way to help event organizers prepare for and avoid inevitable crises, writes Vibhu Krishna in a new First Opinion. — STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

The pressure intensified this week, prompting emergency talks among European officials on Thursday as the European Union sought a coordinated response to Washington’s demands. — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

Middle English secher, seker, from sechen, seken to seek + -er

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing seek

• hide-and-go-seek
• hide-and-seek
• seek compensation
• seek damages
• seek one's fortune
• seek out
• seek revenge for
• take/find/seek refuge

Rhymes for seek

• beak
• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• clique
• creak
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek

Kids Definition

seek

verb

ˈsēk 

sought ˈsȯt  ; seeking

1

: to go to

seek the shade on a sunny day

2

a

: to go in search of : look for

seek out the guilty person

b

: to try to discover

seek the truth

3

: to ask for : request

seeks advice

4

: to try to acquire or gain : aim at

seeking public office

5

: to make an attempt : try

seek to find a way

sought to improve my work

seeker noun