seek

UK: /ˈsiːk/ US: /sik/ ,(sēk)

Inflections of 'seek' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

seeks

v 3rd person singular

seeking

v pres p

sought

v past

sought

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

seek /sik/   v., sought/sɔt/  seek•ing. 

1. to go in search of: [~ (+ out) + object]
   to seek (out) a new life.
   [~ + object (+ out)]
   to seek her (out), wherever she was.
2. to try to discover, as by studying:
   [~ + object] to seek the secrets of the universe.
3. to try to obtain:
   [~ + object] to seek advice from your attorney.
4. to try or attempt:
   [~ + to + verb] sought to convince the queen to finance his expedition.

seek•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

seek  (sēk), v., sought, seek•ing. 
v.t. 

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.
4. to try or attempt (usually fol. 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.

v.i. 

8. to make inquiry.
9. be sought after, to be desired or in demand:
   Graduates in the physical sciences are most sought after by employers these days.

• bef. 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); compare beseech

Synonyms

• 3. pursue, follow.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

seek / siːk/ verb (seeks, seeking, sought)(mainly tr)

1. when intr, often followed by for or after: 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

Etymology: Old English sēcan; related to Old Norse sōkja, Gothic sōkjan, Old High German suohhen, Latin sāgīre to perceive by scent; see beseech

ˈseeker noun