# sought

/ˈsɔt/ (US) · /sˈɔːt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sought
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

the past form of 'seek'. It means you looked for something or tried to get something.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He seeked for a new job" but "He sought a new job" — The verb is irregular; the past form is 'sought', not 'seeked'.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and often takes an abstract noun as its object, such as 'help', 'advice', or 'refuge', rather than physical objects.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.