seek S2 W1 AC / sik / 动词 ( past tense and past participle sought / sɔt $ sɒt / ) [及物动词]

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 同义词 look for :

new graduates seeking employment

Attractive woman, 27, seeks male, 25-35, for fun and friendship.

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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

名词

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.

副词

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 短语 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 短语动词

to try to find someone or something, especially when this is difficult :

Our mission is to seek out the enemy and destroy them.