Cool MateLooking for vs Seeking
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Looking for
Top 2,000 (common)
Seeking
Top 2,000 (common)
| Looking for | Seeking | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈlʊkɪŋ fɔː//🇺🇸 //ˈlʊkɪŋ fɔːr// | 🇬🇧 //ˈsiːkɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈsiːkɪŋ// |
| Meaning | Trying to find something or someone. | Looking for something or someone. |
| Example | I am looking for my keys; have you seen them? | She is seeking a new job in marketing. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | looking for help, looking for answers, looking for opportunities, looking for advice | seeking advice, seeking assistance, seeking opportunities, seeking truth, seeking guidance |
| Antonyms | - | avoiding, ignoring, disregarding |
| Common mistakes | Using 'look for' in place of 'looking for' when a continuous form is needed., Confusing 'looking for' with 'looking at'; they have different meanings. | Confused with 'seeked' instead of 'sought' as the past tense., Incorrectly using 'seeking' as a noun., Misunderstanding the context; 'seeking' suggests active pursuit. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in everyday conversation; appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, such as job hunting or searching for an item. | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. 'Seeking' may appear in job descriptions or personal pursuits. Avoid overly casual scenarios. |
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Frequently asked questions: Looking for vs Seeking
What's the difference between Looking for and Seeking?
Looking for: Trying to find something or someone. Seeking: Looking for something or someone.
Can you show an example of each?
Looking for: I am looking for my keys; have you seen them? Seeking: She is seeking a new job in marketing.
Can I use Looking for and Seeking interchangeably?
Not always. Looking for and Seeking are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.