seek

American  

[seek] / sik /

verb (used with object)

seeks, present (3rd person singular) sought, past participle, past seeking present participle

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.

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verb (used without object)

seeks, present (3rd person singular) sought, past participle, past seeking present participle

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

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seek More Idioms  

1. see play hide and seek.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• seeker
  noun
• unseeking
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• seeking
  present
• sought
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• seek
  simple
• seeks
  simple
• have sought
  perfect
• has sought
  perfect
• am seeking
  progressive
• are seeking
  progressive
• is seeking
  progressive
• have been seeking
  perfect progressive
• has been seeking
  perfect progressive

Past

• sought
  simple
• had sought
  perfect
• was seeking
  progressive
• were seeking
  progressive
• had been seeking
  perfect progressive

Future

• will seek
  simple
• will have sought
  perfect
• will be seeking
  progressive
• will have been seeking
  perfect progressive

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

In a statement, DFB said it "will now seek talks with Jurgen Klopp", adding: "He has already signaled his general willingness to take on the position."

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026

But the US leader appeared to signal he could be warming to Ukraine at a G7 meeting last month and other leaders may seek to build on any perceived momentum.

From Barron's • Jul. 3, 2026

At the Basilica, visited by more than 20 million people a year, fans seek divine intervention.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026

When those are removed, what’s left is known as the shadow docket — cases that seek to skip the usual order of things and ask for a quick ruling from the court’s justices.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026

The holes were actually sensory organs that gave the shark a sixth sense and helped her seek prey.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

Related Words

• explore
• follow
• investigate
• pursue