(formal)
1 ~ (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 compensation / funding * Highly qualified secretary seeks employment. (= in an advertisement) * He intends to seek custody of the children. * We are currently seeking new ways of expanding our membership. [also V]
3 [VN] ~ 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 [Vtoinf] to try to do sth:
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.
seealsoHEAT-SEEKING, SELF-SEEKING
seealsoHIDE-AND-SEEK
IDIOMS
seek your fortune (literary) to try to find a way to become rich, especially by going to another place:
Many emigrated to Australia to seek their fortune.
PHRASALVERBS
seek sb/sth out to look for and find sb/sth, especially when this means using a lot of effort
