seek

seek
seek S2 W1 AC /siːk/ verb (past tense and past participle sought /sɔːt $ sɒːt/) [transitive]1. formal to try to achieve or get something:
    Do you think the President will seek re-election?
    seek refuge/asylum/shelter etc
    Thousands of people crossed the border, seeking refuge from the war.
    seek revenge/damages/compensation etc
    He sought revenge against Surkov for separating him from his wife and son.
    seek to do something
    Local schools are seeking to reduce the dropout rate.
    attention-seeking/publicity-seeking
2. seek (sb’s) advice/help/assistance etc formal to ask someone for advice or help:
    If the symptoms persist, seek medical advice.
3. written to look for someone or something
   SYN  look for:
    new graduates seeking employment
    Attractive woman, 27, seeks male, 25-35, for fun and friendship.
  REGISTER
    In everyday English, people usually say that they are looking for someone or something rather than seeking someone or something:
   ▪ What kind of job are you looking for?
4. seek your fortune literary to go to another place hoping to gain success and wealth:
    Coles came to the Yukon in the 1970s to seek his fortune.
5. to move naturally towards something or into a particular position:
    Water seeks its own level.
⇨ heat-seeking, hide-and-seek, self-seeking, sought-after
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meanings 1 & 2)

■ nouns
   ▪ seek help He sought help from the police.
   ▪ seek advice/information If in any doubt, seek the advice of a senior officer.
   ▪ seek support/approval He said he would seek shareholder support for the proposal.
   ▪ seek permission They are seeking permission to build 200 new houses.
   ▪ seek refuge/asylum/shelter (=try to find somewhere safe) They sought refuge inside the castle.
   ▪ seek election/re-election (=try to be elected or re-elected) He hasn’t decided whether to seek re-election.
   ▪ seek compensation/damages (=ask for money because of something bad you have suffered) The other two may seek compensation for wrongful imprisonment.
   ▪ seek revenge Dafoe plays a computer mastermind who seeks revenge on his former employer.
■ adverbs
   ▪ actively The university is actively seeking new funds.
   ▪ desperately They ran in all directions, desperately seeking escape.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ search to look carefully for someone or something: Detectives continue to search for clues. | She searched through all his clothes.
   ▪ look for somebody/something to try to get someone or something you want or need: I’m looking for something to wear for my sister’s wedding. | The band is looking for a singer. | He’s decided to look for a new career.
   ▪ try to find somebody/something used especially when someone or something is difficult to find: I spent half an hour trying to find a parking space. | She was in the kitchen, trying to find something to eat that wasn’t raw carrot.
   ▪ seek formal to try to find something or someone. Used especially about jobs, help, or information. Also used in newspaper advertisements when trying to find a suitable person: They went there seeking work. | She decided to seek help. | Tall blond 18-year-old male seeks female 17+ for friendship.
   ▪ hunt to look for someone or something. Used when you look very carefully and thoroughly, or in the phrase house/job/bargain hunting: I’ve hunted everywhere, but I can’t find a recipe for French onion soup. | She’s gone out bargain-hunting in the sales.
   ▪ be on the lookout for somebody/something to be continuously looking for someone or something: I’m always on the lookout for a good bargain.
   ▪ leave no stone unturned to look for someone or something in every possible place: The police say they will leave no stone unturned in their search for the killer.
     
seek somebody/something ↔ out phrasal verb
  to try to find someone or something, especially when this is difficult:
    Our mission is to seek out the enemy and destroy them.