Word
sought
US/ˈsɔt/
UK/sˈɔːt/
Definition
v. the past form of 'seek'. It means you looked for something or tried to get something.
v. the past tense and past participle of 'seek'. It describes the act of searching for, requesting, or attempting to obtain something.
Examples
“She sought advice from her teacher after the lesson.”
“The company sought a legal expert to help them understand the new international trade laws.”
“Having exhausted all local resources, the refugees sought asylum in a neighboring country that promised safety and economic stability.”
Examples
simple
“She sought advice from her teacher after the lesson.”
contextual
“The company sought a legal expert to help them understand the new international trade laws.”
complex
“Having exhausted all local resources, the refugees sought asylum in a neighboring country that promised safety and economic stability.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and often takes an abstract noun as its object, such as 'help', 'advice', or 'refuge', rather than physical objects.
Pitfall
He seeked for a new job
He sought a new job
The verb is irregular; the past form is 'sought', not 'seeked'.
Real-World Examples
“This is not the first time that the US president has sought to end the exercises with South Korea.” “He said gas stations were busy as people sought fuel for chain saws and vehicles.” “The family sought treatment from a local doctor, but Parshuram's condition worsened.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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