seek

[ seek ]
See synonyms for seek on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),sought, seek·ing.
  1. to go in search or quest of: to seek the truth.

  2. to try to find or discover by searching or questioning: to seek the solution to a problem.

  1. to try to obtain: to seek fame.

  2. to try or attempt (usually followed by an infinitive): to seek to convince a person.

  3. to go to: to seek a place to rest.

  4. to ask for; request: to seek advice.

  5. Archaic. to search or explore.

verb (used without object),sought, seek·ing.
  1. to make inquiry.

Idioms about seek

  1. be sought after, to be desired or in demand: Graduates in the physical sciences are most sought after by employers these days.

Origin of seek

1
First recorded before 900; Middle English seken, Old English sēcan; cognate with German suchen, Old Norse sœkja, Gothic sōkjan; akin to Latin sāgīre “to perceive by scent” (see presage, sagacity); cf. beseech

Other words for seek

Other words from seek

  • outseek, verb (used with object), out·sought, out·seek·ing.
  • re·seek, verb (used with object), re·sought, re·seek·ing.
  • un·seek·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for seek

seek

/ (siːk) /


verbseeks, seeking or sought (mainly tr)
  1. (when intr, often foll by for or after) to try to find by searching; look for: to seek a solution

  2. (also intr) to try to obtain or acquire: to seek happiness

  1. to attempt (to do something); try: I'm only seeking to help

  2. (also intr) to enquire about or request (something): to seek help

  3. to go or resort to: to seek the garden for peace

  4. an archaic word for explore

Origin of seek

1
Old English sēcan; related to Old Norse sōkja, Gothic sōkjan, Old High German suohhen, Latin sāgīre to perceive by scent; see beseech

Derived forms of seek

  • seeker, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with seek

seek

see play hide and seek.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.