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.
On April 19, as search-and-rescue teams dug through the rubble for survivors, Emerson became a sought-after TV pundit.
From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026
In the final days of the NBA regular season, basketball’s most ambitious franchises were going all-out in pursuit of the sport’s most sought-after spots.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
Within less than five years, the number of exhibitors has almost doubled, organisers said, with the 2026 edition welcoming 11 new brands, including Audemars Piguet, one of the most sought-after among collectors.
From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026
“This charming beachside cottage is located on the highly sought-after north end of Clearwater Beach, offering the ultimate Florida lifestyle with direct, private beach access just steps from you back door,” the listing notes.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026
Throughout history, some of the most sought-after shipwrecks have been those that played an important role in the nation’s history before meeting an unfortunate end.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
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.
