Help me, plz. What's the difference between SEARCH, SEEK and LOOK FOR? Oh boy, I feel lost and?

Question

I have to explain this today. I am NOT an English speaker. Please, do provide a few examples. Thanks a LOT!

Answer 1

Basically, they have the same meaning but, in different connotations."
"I know the book is in that drawer somewhere, I will LOOK FOR it."


"A SEARCH has been organised for a missing child.
(You would do more than just 'look for' the child. "Search" is more intensive.)

"Seek" is more related to discovery & finding. To delve into things to seek a solution, for example.

Answer 2

All the three can be considered as being synonyms:words of similar meanings.There is a slight difference between them.
*Search: To examine sb or sth carefully because you are looking for something or to look for something that is missing.Ex:Jenny kept searching for her missing bag.
*Seek: To try to find or get something or to ask somebody for something.Ex:Politicians are seeking an agreement.
*Look for:To try to find.Ex:I've been lookingfor a nice bag since two weeks.
That's all.I hope you understood the difference.Good luck=)

Answer 3

i believe they have the same meaning i speak english every day and hear these words often they all mean to find .you can seek someone out of a crowd , it means to find . look these up in a dictionary this may help .

Answer 4

Search for, look for, seek. They all mean the same.
You can SEARCH FOR answers. You can LOOK FOR answers. You can SEEK answers.

Answer 5

You do not know "where" to look for when you search. You know "what" to look for when you "seek". When you are "looking for" you need to know "what", "who", "where", "when" and possibly "how" if you are to have any success. This is the best I can do. Hope it helps.

Answer 6

search used for wider finding of anything; seek is for individual finding of things and look for is a term to see as sightseeing.

Answer 7

Nothing. They all mean the same thing.

Answer 8

Here are the meaning of the words SEARCH, SEEK and LOOK FOR :


SEARCH
- /sɜrtʃ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[surch] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used with object) 1. to go or look through (a place, area, etc.) carefully in order to find something missing or lost: They searched the woods for the missing child. I searched the desk for the letter.
2. to look at or examine (a person, object, etc.) carefully in order to find something concealed: He searched the vase for signs of a crack. The police searched the suspect for weapons.
3. to explore or examine in order to discover: They searched the hills for gold.
4. to look at, read, or examine (a record, writing, collection, repository, etc.) for information: to search a property title; He searched the courthouse for a record of the deed to the land.
5. to look at or beneath the superficial aspects of to discover a motive, reaction, feeling, basic truth, etc.: He searched her face for a clue to her true feelings.
6. to look into, question, or scrutinize: She searched her conscience.
7. (of natural elements) to pierce or penetrate: The sunlight searched the room's dark corners.
8. to uncover or find by examination or exploration (often fol. by out): to search out all the facts.
9. Military. to fire artillery over (an area) with successive changes in gun elevation.
10. Computers. to examine (one or more files, as databases or texts) electronically, to locate specified items.
–verb (used without object) 11. to inquire, investigate, examine, or seek; conduct an examination or investigation.
–noun 12. an act or instance of searching; careful examination or investigation.
13. the practice, on the part of naval officers of a belligerent nation, of boarding and examining a suspected neutral vessel at sea in order to ascertain its true nationality and determine if it is carrying contraband: the right of visit and search.


SEEK
- /sik/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[seek] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb, sought, seek·ing.
–verb (used with object) 1. to go in search or quest of: to seek the truth.
2. to try to find or discover by searching or questioning: to seek the solution to a problem.
3. to try to obtain: to seek fame.
4. to try or attempt (usually fol. by an infinitive): to seek to convince a person.
5. to go to: to seek a place to rest.
6. to ask for; request: to seek advice.
7. Archaic. to search or explore.
–verb (used without object) 8. to make inquiry.
—Idiom9. be sought after, to be desired or in demand: Graduates in the physical sciences are most sought after by employers these days.

LOOK FOR
- to seek;
search for: Columbus was looking for a shorter route to India when he discovered America.

to anticipate; expect: I'll be looking for you at the reception.



I really hope these all help you out ... The meanings are almost the same just used in different situations ....

Have a great day !!! :)