sought-after
adjective
that is in demand; desirable.
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sought-after
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sought after
sought afterAlso, much sought after. Very popular, in demand, as in He was much sought after as a throat specialist, particularly by singers. This expression uses the past participle of seek in the sense of “desired” or “searched for.” [Late 1800s]
sought-after
American
[sawt-af-ter, -ahf-]
/ ˈsɔtˌæf tər, -ˌɑf- /
adjective
sought-after
British
adjective
sought after
Idioms
Etymology
Origin of sought-after
First recorded in 1880–85
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:
“Few properties combine this degree of scale, privacy, and resort-style living in one of California’s most sought-after residential communities,” Altman said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
Chelsea, for example, have one of the most sought-after young managers in the game in Xabi Alonso, and also look to have bought well in the transfer market.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
The slicing and dicing of available tables can mean there are only so many seats at the most sought-after establishments, begetting a sense of scarcity at the highest levels.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
"It's not a sought-after taste in wines, so even if they're still drinkable, they won't be marketed," he predicted.
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
The second was Yale’s complacent refusal to accommodate its sought-after assistant professor’s request for a promotion to associate professor.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
And even if they take longer and cost more than expected, American defense products are sought after the world over.
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026
Midea’s PortaSplit air conditioner is especially sought after in Europe.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
Dresden, home to nine universities, has a large number of trained engineers who are sought after by the roughly 2,500 companies in the sector operating in the area.
From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026
He has been sought after ever since and this year’s homecoming has layers of significance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026
His endorsement of the New Deal was sought after and given, providing black Americans with new influence in Washington.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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.
