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Showing results for sought-after. Search instead for sought+after.
Synonyms

sought-after

American  
[sawt-af-ter, -ahf-] / ˈsɔtˌæf tər, -ˌɑf- /

adjective

  1. that is in demand; desirable.

    a sought-after speaker.
sought-after British  

adjective

  1. in demand; wanted

"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
sought after Idioms  

  1. Also, much sought after. Very popular, in demand, as in He was much sought after as a throat specialist, particularly by singers. This expression uses the past participle of seek in the sense of “desired” or “searched for.” [Late 1800s]

Etymology

Origin of sought-after

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Jordan, who won entertainer of the year that evening, went on to secure the sought-after lead actor prize at the 98th Academy Awards in March.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

“This charming beachside cottage is located on the highly sought-after north end of Clearwater Beach, offering the ultimate Florida lifestyle with direct, private beach access just steps from you back door,” the listing notes.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Gil continued selling the most sought-after titles on Amazon, and on Biblio.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

Chinese national Zhang Kequn was arrested at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport last week with more than 2,200 ants, including 1,948 of the sought-after Messor cephalotes species, in his luggage.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

She ought a be the most sought-after help in the state.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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