search
- 01 A2 Elementary
v.to look through a place or an area very carefully to find something.
v.to examine a place, person, or object thoroughly in order to find something concealed or lost.
Simple“The police searched the entire house but they could not find the stolen jewelry.”
In context“Customs officers searched the cargo container thoroughly, looking for any signs of undeclared goods or prohibited items.”
PitfallI searched my keys everywhere. I searched for my keys everywhere.You search a place (the room), but you search FOR an object (the keys).
- 02 A2 Elementary
v.to look for information on the internet using a computer or phone.
v.to use a search engine or database to retrieve specific information.
Simple“I searched the web for a good Italian restaurant near the hotel.”
In context“She searched the online archives for any mention of her great-grandfather's military service during the war.”
- 03 A2 Elementary
n.an act of looking for something or someone.
n.a systematic or organized attempt to locate something or someone.
Simple“The rescue team called off the search when it became too dark to see.”
In context“After a long and difficult search, the researchers finally discovered the rare plant growing deep in the valley.”
Synonyms
Usage search for survivors · search for a missing · search for signs
From Middle English serchen, borrowed from Anglo-Norman sercher, Old French cerchier, from Late Latin circō, circāre (“to circle; go around; search for”), from Latin circa, circus. Not related to German suchen, which is cognate with English seek.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.