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

"A severe thunderstorm is occurring near the National Mall. Seek shelter immediately. Do not wait," the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management agency said on X.

From Barron's • Jul. 4, 2026

Kimberly Curtis, owner of Hide & Seek Vintage in Studio City, said Gonzalez’s strawberry and cherry birthday candles “flew off the shelves last year” during the holidays.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

Seek out a lawyer, or make a will online.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

They worry that interest-rate hikes in response to inflationary pressures including from fuel could put pressure on listings volumes at employment marketplace Seek and News Corp-controlled real-estate advertiser REA.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

Ruth May is so intent on winning Hide and Seek, or any game for that matter, she would probably go ahead and burn up before she’d ever yell and give herself away.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• explore
• follow
• investigate
• pursue