First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
seek
verb \ˈsēk\
: to search for (someone or something) : to try to find (someone or something)
: to ask for (help, advice, etc.)
: to try to get or achieve (something)
sought \ˈsȯt\ seek·ing
Full 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
See seek defined for English-language learners
See seek defined for kids
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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
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
SEEKER Defined for Kids
seek
verb \ˈsēk\
sought \ˈsȯt\seek·ing
Definition of SEEK for Kids
1
: to try to find <seek help> <… foxes called to each other, seeking again their lifelong mates. — Jean Craighead George, My Side of the Mountain>
2
: to try to win or get <He sought revenge.>
3
: to make an attempt <Doctors are seeking to find a cure.>
Synonym Discussion of SEEK
seek, search, and hunt mean to look for something. seek may be used in looking for either material or mental things. <She's always seeking new friends.> <I seek the truth.> search is used when looking for something in a very careful, thorough way. <We searched all over the house for the letter.> hunt is used for a long pursuit. <I hunted all day for the right present.>
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