seek

American  

[seek] / sik /

verb (used with object)

sought, seeking

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.

3. to try to obtain.

   to seek fame.

   Synonyms:

   follow, pursue

4. to try or attempt (usually followed by an infinitive).

   to seek to convince a person.

5. to go to.

   to seek a place to rest.

6. to ask for; request.

   to seek advice.

7. Archaic. to search or explore.

---

verb (used without object)

sought, seeking

1. to make inquiry.

idioms

1. be sought after, to be desired or in demand.

   Graduates in the physical sciences are most sought after by employers these days.

seek British  

/ siːk /

verb

1. to try to find by searching; look for

   to seek a solution

2. (also intr) to try to obtain or acquire

   to seek happiness

3. to attempt (to do something); try

   I'm only seeking to help

4. (also intr) to enquire about or request (something)

   to seek help

5. to go or resort to

   to seek the garden for peace

6. an archaic word for explore

---

seek More Idioms  

1. see play hide and seek.

---

Other Word Forms

• outseek verb (used with object)
• reseek verb (used with object)
• seeker noun
• unseeking adjective

Etymology

Origin of seek

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

Explanation

If you seek an accordion player for your new polka band, it means you are looking for a band mate. When you seek something, you try to find it. It's possible to seek fame, or snacks, or a college degree, or approval — as long as you're looking for it, or longing for it, you're seeking it. The origins of the word seek go back to the Latin word sagire, which means "to perceive keenly by scent." Imagine a dog tracking a rabbit, sniffing the ground and following its scent, and you'll know exactly what it means to seek something.

Example Sentences

"As business owners, we simply seek a thriving economy, national stability and global peace," he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Clients seek out the womb witch for a variety of reasons.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

"Humans evolved to seek out and store energy-dense fats and sugars to survive periods of scarcity, leading us to crave high-calorie junk food," he added.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

The result would be a single group that controls both Deutsche Telekom’s and T-Mobile’s operations, which could then potentially seek to list in the U.S. and in Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

I will be sure to seek out graduates of your alma mater should the palace ever require additional staff to care for the princes and princesses.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• explore
• follow
• investigate
• pursue