search
B1 (CEFR) / High-frequencyNeutral (used across all registers from formal to informal)
Definition
Meaning
To look carefully and systematically for someone or something.
The act or process of seeking information in a database, online, or in the mind; a systematic investigation or examination.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes an intentional, often thorough, attempt to find. Can be transitive ('search the room') or intransitive ('search for clues'). In computing, it refers to retrieving data from a system or the internet.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In noun form, 'search' is commonly used in phrases like 'a search of the premises' (both). 'Search me!' as an idiom meaning 'I don't know' is more common in AmE. Compound nouns like 'search engine' are universal.
Connotations
Generally identical. In legal/police contexts, both use 'search warrant'. 'Body search' is standard, but 'pat-down' (AmE) / 'stop and search' (BrE police procedure) show procedural differences.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[search] + [object] (a place/container)[search] + for + [object] (thing/person sought)[search] + through + [object] (mass/collection)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Search me!”
- “in search of”
- “search high and low”
- “search your heart/soul/conscience”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to finding information, candidates (executive search), or market opportunities. 'We need to search for a more cost-effective supplier.'
Academic
Systematic investigation in research. 'The study involved a systematic search of the literature.'
Everyday
Looking for lost items or online information. 'I'll search for the recipe online.'
Technical
Computing: querying a database or the web. 'The algorithm performs a binary search on the sorted array.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The police will search the premises tomorrow.
- I must search for that file in the archives.
- He searched through the old documents meticulously.
American English
- The cops got a warrant to search the vehicle.
- Just search for it on the web.
- She searched her purse for the missing receipt.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form. 'Searchingly' exists but is rare, meaning 'in a searching manner'.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- The search function on the website is quite powerful.
- They launched a search operation at dawn.
American English
- Use the search bar at the top of the page.
- The search algorithm returned thousands of hits.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I search for my phone every morning.
- Click here to search the internet.
- They helped me search for my cat.
- The customs officer had to search my luggage.
- I've searched everywhere, but I can't find my passport.
- We are in search of a new flat.
- The lawyer demanded the right to search the evidence locker.
- Archaeologists are searching for clues about the ancient civilisation.
- A deep search of the company's records revealed the discrepancy.
- He searched his conscience before making the difficult decision.
- The new software can search through petabytes of data in milliseconds.
- Her eyes searched his face for any sign of deception.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a RESEARCHER who must SEARCH through archives. RE-SEARCH implies searching again and again.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING/INVESTIGATING IS SEARCHING ('I searched my memory for the answer'). LIFE IS A JOURNEY WITH A SEARCH ('He is searching for happiness').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'research' (научное исследование). 'Search' is искать/поиск, while 'research' is исследовать/исследование.
- Avoid direct calque 'make a search' for simple 'search' (verb). 'Я искал ключи' is 'I searched for the keys' or 'I was looking for the keys', not 'I made a search for the keys'.
- The phrase 'in search of' is a fixed prepositional phrase, not 'for search of'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'I searched my keys.' (Correct: 'I searched for my keys.' or 'I searched the room for my keys.')
- Using 'search' as a countable noun incorrectly: 'I did three searches for it.' (acceptable in computing context, but odd for physical search; better: 'I searched for it three times.')
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'search' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct but have different meanings. 'Search the room' means you examine the room. 'Search for the keys' means you are trying to find the keys. Often combined: 'Search the room for the keys.'
'Search' often implies a more systematic, thorough, or effortful attempt. 'Look for' is more general and casual. You 'look for' your pen on a desk; you 'search' a forest for a lost person.
Yes. 'The search for the wreckage took three days.' 'I did a quick online search.' It is a countable noun in this sense.
It's an informal, chiefly American expression meaning 'I don't know' or 'I have no idea'. It is not a literal request to be searched.
Collections
Part of a collection
Technology Basics
A2 · 48 words · Everyday technology and digital devices.