search

Search means to look to find something that is missing or whose location has been forgotten or is unknown. It also means to carefully examine a person or thing to find something that is hidden. A more modern meaning of search is to enter a query on a search engine or website in order to find a specific page or piece of information. Search is also used as a noun to refer to the process of looking for something. Search has many other senses as both a verb and a noun.

Most generally, search means to look for something. It usually implies something more thorough than just looking.

Real-life examples: People search for buried treasure, missing children, and things that they have lost, among many other things. Sometimes, people are said to search for abstract things, such as meaning or happiness.

Used in a sentence: We searched everywhere in the house for my sister’s missing toy. 

Search also means to look closely at or examine a person or thing to find something that may be concealed or hidden.

Real-life examples: Police and security guards search people to check for weapons or illegal items they may be hiding on themselves or in something they own. Collectors or appraisers will often search an item for damage or signs that something may be fake.

Used in a sentence: The art expert searched the statue to find the sculptor’s trademark signature that proved it was genuine. 

Search is also commonly used in the context of searching the internet, a website, or an individual webpage.

Real-life examples: When you use a search engine, you enter a search term in order to view the search results to find what you’re looking for. This process is called a search. 

Used in a sentence: I searched for the exact phrase, but there were no results, so I tried another search using only keywords.

As a noun, search also commonly refers to the process of trying to find something. An investigation is a kind of search for the truth.

Real-life examples: Police often conduct searches to find missing people or suspects. People participate in or start searches focused on finding many different things, such as romantic partners, colleges, missing wallets, or answers to questions.

Used in a sentence: I haven’t made much progress in my search for the perfect birthday present for my girlfriend.

The first records of the word search come from the early 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Late Latin verb circāre, meaning “to go around.” The noun sense comes from the verb.

Search shares an origin with the words circle and circus. The Latin circāre comes from the Latin word circus, meaning “ring” or “circle.”

What are some other forms related to search?

• searchable (adjective)
• searcher (noun)

What are some synonyms for search?

• look
• examine
• check
• probe
• investigation
• inspection
• hunt
• pursuit

What are some words that share a root or word element with search? 

• searchlight
• search party
• search engine
• search warrant
• research
• circle
• circus

What are some words that often get used in discussing search?

• police
• computer
• history
• results
• archives
• exhaustive
• hidden
• concealed

Search is a common word that’s used in the context of looking for something.

Some people are lucky enough to find love early in their life, some are cursed to search for it forever.

— Handoko Tjung (@handokotjung) November 20, 2020

My search for a birthday dress has been a fail thus far 😩

— Sambalina (@JaydynsDynasty) November 22, 2020

Been looking for a song for 1,5 years. I didn't remember the title or any of the lyrics. All I had in my head is 1 second of the clip. I was searching through old songs so maybe it would show up in the suggested videos. Today it showed on the main page. Bless you YouTube gods!

— Grzegorz Komincz (@Liquid_MaNa) November 24, 2020

Is search used correctly in the following sentence?

After a long search, the man finally found his wedding ring, which he had dropped in the sand.