/ siːk; NAmE / verb ( sought , sought / sɔːt; NAmE /) ( formal )
1.
seek (for) sth/sb to look for sth/sb :
[ vn ]
Drivers are advised to seek alternative routes.
[ v ] ( BrE )
They sought in vain for somewhere to shelter.
2.
to try to obtain or achieve sth :
[ vn ]
to seek funding for a project
Highly qualified secretary seeks employment. (= in an advertisement)
We are currently seeking new ways of expanding our membership.
[also v ]
3.
[ vn ] seek sth (from sb) to ask sb for sth :
I think it's time we sought legal advice.
She managed to calm him down and seek help from a neighbour.
4.
[ v to inf ] to try to do sth
SYN attempt :
They quickly sought to distance themselves from the protesters.
5.
-seeking (in adjectives and nouns) looking for or trying to get the thing mentioned; the activity of doing this :
attention-seeking behaviour
Voluntary work can provide a framework for job-seeking.
—see also heat-seeking , self-seeking
—see also hide-and-seek
•
IDIOMS
- seek your fortune
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- seek sb/sth out
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English sēcan , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zieken and German suchen , from an Indo-European root shared by Latin sagire perceive by scent.