1 B2 neutral
To find someone or something by searching carefully and persistently, implying success
"She managed to search out a first edition of the book from a dealer in Edinburgh."
separable
search out
B2 neutral separable transitive
To find someone or something by searching thoroughly and determinedly
In plain English
To find something or someone by looking really hard until you succeed
What does "search out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To deliberately seek out a specific person to speak to, consult, or confront them
"After the meeting, the CEO searched out the junior employee who had asked the difficult question."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To search and bring something out of hiding — 'out' implies successful retrieval
Actually means
To find something or someone by looking really hard until you succeed
Usage tip
Implies a more purposeful and complete search than 'search for' — the 'out' particle suggests the goal is reached. Often implies the thing being sought is hidden, rare, or difficult to find.
Words that pair with "search out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
truth information expert solution hidden rare
How to conjugate "search out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
search out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
searches out
he/she/it
Past simple
searched out
yesterday
Past participle
searched out
have + pp
-ing form
searching out
continuous
Hear "search out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "search out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "search out"
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