seek

Everyday

1. To seek means to look for something or someone. tree →
2. To seek means to try to get something, like help, advice or safety. tree →
3. To seek to do something means to try to do it (formal). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life «hide and seek» is a game; in safety lessons you «seek help» from a trusted adult. In stories heroes seek treasure or answers. Phrases: «hide and seek», «seek help», «seek advice», «seek shelter».

Examples

• We played hide and seek in the garden. tree →
• If you are lost, seek help from a police officer. tree →
• The knights set out to seek the treasure. tree →
• Seek shelter during a thunderstorm. tree →
• Ready or not, here I come — I'm coming to seek you! tree →
• Many people seek advice from the library. tree →
• She sought a quiet place to read. tree →
• “I am seeking the three bulrushes. tree →

Note

Irregular: seek – sought – sought (said SAWT). «Seek» is a bit formal; in everyday speech people say «look for». «Hide and seek»: one person is «it» and seeks the others.

In Jewish tradition

To "seek" the LORD means to turn to Him and look for Him with the heart, as well as to look for things.

Interpretation. Rabbis read seeking God as prayer and study. Joseph seeking his brothers is also read as the start of the story that takes Israel to Egypt.

Examples

• And he said: 'I seek my brethren. (Torah GEN.37.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the man asked him, saying: 'What seekest thou?' (Torah GEN.37.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever. (Torah DEU.23.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• I will seek it yet again.' (Writings PRO.23.35, JPS 1917) tree →
• How trimmest thou thy way to seek love! (Prophets JER.2.33, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Saul and his men went to seek him. (Prophets 1SA.23.25, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Irregular: seek – sought – sought (said SAWT). «Seek» is a bit formal; in everyday speech people say «look for». «Hide and seek»: one person is «it» and seeks the others.