seek
gb/sˈik/ us/sˈik/
B1
Engels
~ 700
Betekenissen
0 betekenissen
Werkwoord
B1
action
1
try to find something
To try to find something.
Gebruikspatroon:
to seek [something]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes confuse 'seek' with 'search'. 'Seek' is more formal and can mean to look for non-physical things (e.g., advice), while 'search' often means physically looking for something.
Synoniemen
search (Often used for physically looking for something, while 'seek' can be broader and more formal.)
Antoniemen
ignore (Choosing not to look for or pay attention to something.)
Woordcombinaties
seek help
|seek advice
|seek shelter
|seek approval
|seek employment
Thema's
daily life
|work
|travel
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- They are seeking a new apartment in the city.
- The company is seeking talented engineers to join its team.
- She sought information about her family history.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- I seek a new job.
- He seeks help from his teacher.
- We seek a place to rest.
Werkwoord
B1
action
2
try to achieve something
To try hard to get or do something you want.
Gebruikspatroon:
to seek [goal/result]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners may forget that 'seek' is often followed directly by the object without 'for' (e.g., 'seek help', not 'seek for help').
Synoniemen
pursue ('Pursue' can imply more active, ongoing effort, while 'seek' can be broader and sometimes formal.)
Antoniemen
avoid (To deliberately not attempt to achieve or obtain something.)
Woordcombinaties
seek justice
|seek approval
|seek change
|seek peace
Thema's
business
|personal development
|core_vocabulary
|work
Voorbeelden
- The organization seeks to improve living conditions for refugees.
- He is seeking a promotion at work.
- They sought peace after years of conflict.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- I seek a better life.
- She seeks to win the race.
- We seek peace in our country.
Werkwoord
formal
B2
action
3
formally request something
To ask for something politely or officially.
Gebruikspatroon:
to seek [permission/approval/help]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes use 'ask' instead of 'seek' in formal writing, which can make the tone too casual.
Synoniemen
request ('Request' is more common in everyday use; 'seek' sounds more formal or official.)
Antoniemen
refuse (To deny a request rather than make one.)
Woordcombinaties
seek permission
|seek approval
|seek assistance
Thema's
law
|business
|communication
Voorbeelden
- You must seek permission before entering the restricted area.
- They are seeking approval from the board for the new project.
- She sought assistance from the embassy.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- We seek permission to enter.
- I seek help from the manager.
- He seeks approval from his boss.
Grammatica
Lemmavorm
seek
IPA
GB/sˈik/
US/sˈik/
Lettergrepen en klemtoon
seek (1 lettergreep)
Stress on 1st syllable (seek)
Woordvormen
Verb
- Base: seek
- 3rd Person Singular: seeks
- Present Participle: seeking
- Past: sought
- Past Participle: sought
Woordfamilie
Highlights
- Irregular past: sought Verb
- Irregular past participle: sought Verb
Uitdrukkingen
seek after
1/sˈik ˈæftɚ/
phrasal verb
formal
try to get something desired
To try to get something that many people want.
Voorbeelden
- The award is highly sought after by young scientists.
- He has long sought after a position in the company.
seek medical attention
1/sˈik mˈɛdɪkəl ətˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
get professional medical help
To go to a doctor or nurse for help with a health problem.
Voorbeelden
- If symptoms persist, seek medical attention immediately.
- He was told to seek medical attention after the accident.
seek out
1/sˈik ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
find by searching hard
To look for someone or something until you find them or it.
Voorbeelden
- He sought out the best local restaurants during his trip.
- You should seek out professional advice before making a decision.
seek refuge
1/sˈik ɹˈɛfjud͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
look for safety from danger
To look for a safe place away from danger or trouble.
Voorbeelden
- They sought refuge in a nearby church during the storm.
- Many families sought refuge in shelters during the flood.
- Many people sought refuge abroad during the war.
- They sought refuge from the heat under a large tree.
seek revenge
1/sˈik ɹivˈɛnd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
try to punish someone back
To try to hurt someone because they hurt you first.
Voorbeelden
- He sought revenge on those who betrayed him.
- The main character spends the whole movie seeking revenge for his family’s death.
- She was determined to seek revenge after the insult.
- Rather than seeking revenge, she chose to rebuild her life.
- He left the gang because he was tired of always seeking revenge.