seek

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

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

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

seeker noun

Synonyms

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

Examples of seek in a Sentence

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

The lawsuit seeking class-action status accused Amazon of false advertising and deceptive practices over the addition of ads to Prime Video by default. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Oct. 2024

These lies thrown at him are motivated by those seeking a financial gain, and not justice. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2024

The Free Press left messages with Marathon officials Sunday night seeking comment. —Liam Rappleye, Detroit Free Press, 7 Oct. 2024

Big Deal Debt from nonbank lenders is less likely to appear on the books of private companies seeking bankruptcy protection in U.S. courts this year, according to an S&P Global Market Intelligence report. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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 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

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