What does seek mean?
Seek is a common verb meaning to try to find, locate, or obtain something, often through deliberate searching or inquiry. It is also used when requesting assistance or advice, as in seek help or seek medical treatment, and when describing an effort to achieve an outcome. For example, a government may seek to improve public safety, while a researcher may seek funding for a project. The word can suggest persistence or purposeful action rather than a casual glance around a room. Seek is used in standard British and American English and is especially common in formal writing, journalism, public statements, and professional contexts. Its past tense is sought, and its present participle is seeking. Although the word has several related senses, they share the central idea of making an effort toward finding, obtaining, or bringing about something important.
To try to find, locate, or obtain something, especially through searching or asking.
"The detective sought clues in the abandoned warehouse."
The past tense and past participle are sought.
To request help, advice, information, or an opportunity.
"Residents sought assistance from the local council."
This sense is common in formal and professional contexts.
To attempt to achieve or bring about an outcome.
"The organization seeks to expand its educational programs."
Often followed by an infinitive, as in seek to improve or seek to establish.
To approach or visit someone, especially in order to talk with them or ask for help.
"She sought guidance from an experienced mentor."
The phrasal verb seek out is especially common when deliberately locating someone or something.
The word seek preserves an ancient trail: it comes from Old English sēcan, whose original sense was to investigate or search for something.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does seek come from?
Seek descends from Old English sēcan, an inherited Germanic verb associated with investigating, searching, or trying to discover. The modern English word continued its older sense of looking for something and developed additional meanings involving requesting, pursuing, or trying to achieve an outcome. The root is also reflected in related forms such as beseech, while words including sagacious and presage share a distant Indo-European ancestry. The form sought reflects the historical development of the verb's irregular past tense and participle.
Related word forms
How seek is actually used
Seek is formal and neutral in tone. The phrase seek out often implies deliberately finding someone or something, while seek alone can mean a broad search, request, or effort to obtain something.
Easily confused with seek
Seek means to try to find or obtain something, while seep means to flow or ooze slowly through a gap or porous material.