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quest

n. · v.
US //ˈkwɛst// UK //kwˈɛst// quest
  1. 1 a long search or mission (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a long and difficult search for something, often something special or important.

    a long or arduous search for something; often used to describe a heroic or ambitious mission.

    Example

    The knight went on a dangerous quest to find the lost crown.

    Example

    The scientist dedicated her entire career to the quest for a sustainable and cheap energy source that could replace fossil fuels.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'for'.
  2. 2 to search for (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to go on a journey or search for something important.

    to search for or seek out a specific goal or object. Often used intransitively with 'for'.

    Example

    The explorers continued to quest for the hidden city deep in the jungle.

    Example

    In many classic myths, the hero must quest across distant lands to prove their worthiness before the gods.

    Usage

    The verb is often intransitive and takes the preposition 'for'.
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  1. 3 a task in a game (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a specific task or mission you must complete in a video game to get a reward.

    a specific mission or objective within a role-playing game that a character must complete to advance the plot or earn rewards.

    Example

    I need to finish one more quest before I can level up my character.

    Example

    The game features hundreds of side quests that allow players to explore the world's lore without following the main storyline.
Etymology 1

From Middle English quest, queste; partly from Anglo-Norman queste, Old French queste (“acquisition, search, hunt”), and partly from their source, Latin quaesta (“tribute, tax, inquiry, search”), noun use of quaesita, the feminine past participle of quaerere (“to ask, seek”).

Etymology 2

Blend of quiz + test, to avoid using the word test.

Word family

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