seek
B1Neutral to formal. Common in both writing and speech, but often replaced by simpler synonyms like 'look for' in casual conversation.
Definition
Meaning
To try to find or obtain something.
To attempt to achieve a goal or state; to try to get something such as help, approval, or a solution.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Seek" implies purposefulness, effort, and a desired outcome. It often carries a sense of looking for something abstract (knowledge, help, approval) or something that is difficult to find. It is often used with abstract nouns as objects.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant meaning difference. Both use the word similarly, though "seek" might be perceived as slightly more formal in American English. "Seek out" is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, it conveys a proactive, determined effort. In business/legal contexts ("seek damages," "seek employment"), it is standard and neutral.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English in certain formal or written contexts, but the difference is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
seek + NP (seek advice)seek + to-infinitive (seek to improve)seek + out + NP (seek out experts)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hide-and-seek (children's game)”
- “seek and ye shall find (biblical/proverbial)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used formally: 'The company will seek new investors.' 'We are seeking to expand our market share.'
Academic
Common: 'This study seeks to answer three key questions.' 'Scholars have long sought the origins of the text.'
Everyday
Less common than 'look for'. Used for formal situations: 'I need to seek medical advice.' 'They are seeking a new flatmate.'
Technical
In computing: 'The algorithm seeks the optimal path.' 'The read/write head seeks data on the disk.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They decided to seek legal counsel.
- The government is seeking to reduce carbon emissions.
- He went to the library to seek out the original manuscript.
American English
- You should seek professional advice.
- The team is seeking a championship title.
- We need to seek approval from the board.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I need to seek help with my homework.
- The cat is seeking a warm place to sleep.
- You should seek your teacher's advice before choosing a project.
- Many people seek a better life in the city.
- The committee was formed to seek a solution to the ongoing dispute.
- Refugees often seek asylum in neighbouring countries.
- The philosopher spent his life seeking truth and meaning.
- The prosecutor will seek the maximum penalty for the crime.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SEEK rhymes with PEEK. When you PEEK, you take a quick look. When you SEEK, you look for something seriously and purposefully.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEEKING IS A JOURNEY (embark on a quest, path to knowledge), SEEKING IS HUNTING (track down information, pursue the truth).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating Russian 'искать' (to look for/search for) always as 'seek'. 'Seek' is more formal and abstract. For physical, concrete searching, 'look for' is more natural (e.g., 'I'm looking for my keys', not 'I'm seeking my keys').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'seek' with a concrete, physical object (e.g., 'I'm seeking my phone' – awkward).
- Using 'seek for' (incorrect: 'seek for help'). The correct form is 'seek help' or 'search for help'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST natural use of 'seek'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Seek' is more formal and is typically used with abstract nouns (help, advice, permission). 'Look for' is the standard, neutral phrase for both concrete and abstract searching in everyday language.
No, it is incorrect. The correct pattern is 'seek + object' (seek help) or 'search for + object'. 'Seek for' is a common learner error.
The past tense is 'sought' (pronounced /sɔːt/).
Yes, it can be used in continuous forms when the search is ongoing (e.g., 'I am currently seeking employment').
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