seek
Americanverb (used with object)
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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
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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:
White bed sheets are over: Bedding brands and retailers report strong sales growth for printed sheets as shoppers seek sets with more color, texture, and patterns.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
They said that repeated feeding can lead the deer to "lose their natural wariness of people and seek out food from visitors," which puts the animals and people in danger.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
"We should not regard screen time solely as harmful but seek balance between physical activity and screen time that promotes active thinking," Jalanko summarizes.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026
The SEC can seek civil monetary penalties and the return of illegal profits, and bar or suspend an individual from serving as a corporate officer or director, among other remedies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
I was about to seek shelter in a different fortress when the portal slowly opened.
From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth
Although it's not the first lawsuit that seeks to hold a social media company accountable for mental health and safety issues, it could become one of the most consequential.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
That leaves unanswered a basic question as the government seeks to draw the private sector into offensive cyber operations: What benefits do participants gain?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
Hunt, undeniably the star of these championships as she seeks to capture an "iconic" four golds, will ultimately hope to emulate Asher-Smith and translate continental dominance to global success in the coming years.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
“The immigration laws enacted by Congress impose consequences when someone who has accrued unlawful presence, leaves the country and later seeks admission, including when that departure occurs under advance parole,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
That points to something wider: while the fusillade of insults moves its object out of the embrace of the community, it seeks to move its speaker closer to the center.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
After she finally sought treatment, she wrote, the medication she was prescribed flattened her — in one instance she fell asleep for hours on the set of “Nashville.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
Having gained insight from past experiences, they no longer sought the biggest name or highest bidder but, rather, the best collaborator.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
For the study, a US team led by researchers at Stanford University sought to estimate how often human-caused global warming will push temperatures to levels that elderly people cannot tolerate.
From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026
A trial is scheduled for March 2027, much later than Paramount sought.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
Reporters seeking a great story sought to uncover the final act of Booth’s life: the disposal of the assassin’s remains.
From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson
It is one of the most popular destinations for British people seeking fertility treatment abroad.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
The deal sees Goldman targeting a fast-growing segment of the real-estate market that has drawn asset managers seeking a blend of property ownership and corporate credit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
To get by, parents are searching their local back-to-school fairs for supplies, or seeking out backpack giveaways and school supply distributions.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2026
She fell behind on her payments four months ago and is now seeking to reschedule her debt.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
Clare brought his cup to his mouth, seeking the warmth of his tree sap tea.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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.
