seek
Americanverb (used with object)
-
seeks,
present (3rd person singular)
-
sought,
past participle, past
-
seeking
present participle
-
to go in search or quest of.
to seek the truth.
-
to try to find or discover by searching or questioning.
to seek the solution to a problem.
-
to try to obtain.
to seek fame.
-
to try or attempt (usually followed by an infinitive).
to seek to convince a person.
-
to go to.
to seek a place to rest.
-
to ask for; request.
to seek advice.
-
Archaic. to search or explore.
verb (used without object)
-
seeks,
present (3rd person singular)
-
sought,
past participle, past
-
seeking
present participle
idioms
verb
-
to try to find by searching; look for
to seek a solution
-
(also intr) to try to obtain or acquire
to seek happiness
-
to attempt (to do something); try
I'm only seeking to help
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(also intr) to enquire about or request (something)
to seek help
-
to go or resort to
to seek the garden for peace
-
an archaic word for explore
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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seeksimple
-
seekssimple
-
have soughtperfect
-
has soughtperfect
-
am seekingprogressive
-
are seekingprogressive
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is seekingprogressive
-
have been seekingperfect progressive
-
has been seekingperfect progressive
Past
-
soughtsimple
-
had soughtperfect
-
was seekingprogressive
-
were seekingprogressive
-
had been seekingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing seek
"Earthquake"
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Word Generation Social Studies - Experiences of Two Children in Warn-torn Sudan
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"Brother Ray" and "Power of the Powerless"
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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.
See Examples For:
"It's certainly going to be tricky for the court to thread the needle," said Sankar, between upholding the administration's position and giving the oil companies what they seek.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
Beyond Cornell’s Title IX process, did law enforcement seek to interview the alleged perpetrators and other members of the fraternity?
From Slate ● Oct. 2, 2026
Two new bills in Congress seek to protect older adults from having their Social Security benefits garnished to repay outstanding student loans, in moves meant to provide some relief for the fastest-growing population of debtors.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026
The strain from energy bottlenecks has forced digital infrastructure providers to seek out alternatives to bypass local and regional grids, connecting directly to power sources, such as nuclear or gas-powered.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
“Yes,” he said, “I, too, seek Hen Wen.”
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
The French government aims to cut tens of billions of euros in spending next year as it seeks to calm investor worries.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
Her family’s lawsuit against state officials and medical providers seeks basic accountability for what happened to her.
From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026
It will also be a test of his promise to global investors that Ottawa can move quickly to build major projects as he seeks to turn Canada into a global energy "superpower".
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
Proposition TE seeks to exempt Palisades fire victims from paying the tax if they sell their home within five years of the disaster.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
"If my lord will open the wardrobe, he will find what he seeks."
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
The Swiss franc rose strongly as investors sought safety amid a widening gap between French and German government bond yields.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
Long lines of stationary cars and buses were gridlocked on main roads as commuters sought alternative routes -- or even made their way on foot.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
Bison, it turned out, could pay their own way as meat—leaner than beef, raised without added hormones, and increasingly sought by Americans favoring whole, unprocessed food.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
They added they do not believe it is related to Truth and Reconciliation day, a national holiday that honours victims and survivors of Canada's residential schools, which sought to forcefully assimilate indigenous children.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
Fortunately, William was an early believer in the value of a diverse workforce, and he sought out talent wherever he could find it.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
Veteran leftist Lula is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term, boasting he is fitter than ever despite his advanced age.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
This is what Boulder and its fellow litigants are seeking to do.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
The department is seeking a voluntary agreement with the university and will sue if it cannot reach one.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
North Carolina Democrats collaborated with Voters of Tomorrow, an entirely Gen Z-led organization seeking to promote political engagement among that demographic, for its national summit in August.
From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026
And then he was looking over his shoulder, his eyes seeking mine across the room.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
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.
