Synonyms

seek

American

[seek] / sik /

verb (used with object)

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.

Synonyms:

follow, pursue
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)

to make inquiry.

idioms

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

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
(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

"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

seek More Idioms

see play hide and seek.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

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.

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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.

Still, she delivered some Kirkian tough love when she urged the audience to use their unattached time to seek self-improvement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Walton said that if whey prices stay high for another year or two, manufacturers might seek out substitutes.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

The other learning: Companies are building new products that will disrupt existing, publicly traded companies that we seek to avoid.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who is finishing her second term and could not seek reelection.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

“This life is for the dogs. No, it’s worse. Dogs can at least seek out their food. I can’t even do that.”

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

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