Words / B1

SEEK/siːk/

Seek means try to find or get something — a little formal. Seek advice / help / work; seek to improve (try to). Look for is the everyday pair; search is more intensive, often for a missing object. Sought is the irregular past. Seekers appear in compounds (asylum seekers, job-seekers). Do not write “seek for” in standard exam English.

Meaning

To try to find or get something.

Examples

• “They seek advice from the teacher.”
• “If you are stuck, seek help early.”
• “They are seeking a long-term solution.”

Good to know

seek advice / help / work (no “for”). Everyday: look for. Past: sought. Try to: seek to + verb.

Near in meaning

look for

New