quest
quest — noun
1. a long and determined effort to seek out or obtain something difficult — for ins
a long and determined effort to seek out or obtain something difficult — for instance, a lost treasure, a scientific breakthrough, or a personal goal.
Rania's quest for the lost manuscript took her from Seoul to Berlin.
quest + for + noun (object of search)
The scientist's quest to find a cleaner energy source lasted twenty years.
quest + to-infinitive (purpose/goal)
After the earthquake, their quest for survivors became a race against time.
Takeshi spent his whole life on a quest to master the art of traditional pottery.
The novel follows Amihan's quest to free her village from an ancient curse.
- search
more general and everyday; 'quest' adds a sense of long-term determination
- pursuit
closer in register but more active/persistent; 'pursuit of happiness' feels like chasing, while 'quest' feels more like a journey
- mission
emphasizes a specific task or purpose; more concrete and often assigned by someone else
文法句型
quest + for + noun
quest + to-infinitive
常見錯誤
quest — verb
1. to look for something difficult or important over an extended period, putting gr
to look for something difficult or important over an extended period, putting great effort and determination into the search.
For decades, Dr. Quinn quested for a treatment that could slow the disease.
quested + for + noun (goal of search)
The explorers quested through the jungle, hoping to find the lost temple.
Hyun quested for years to find a way to purify the town's drinking water.
Many young artists quest for a style that feels truly their own.
The team quested after the truth behind the ancient manuscript for nearly a decade.
文法句型
quest + for + noun
quest + after + noun
用法筆記
Often used in literary or formal narrative contexts rather than everyday speech. The past tense 'quested' is uncommon; writers may prefer the noun form ('went on a quest') for natural phrasing.
常見錯誤
2. (old-fashioned or literary) to make a request for something — such as help, info
(old-fashioned or literary) to make a request for something — such as help, information, permission, or a blessing — usually in a formal or humble way.
The villagers quested for the king's protection from the invading army.
quested + for + noun (formal request)
Eve quested for her grandmother's blessing before moving abroad.
In the story, Élise quests for guidance from a wise woman living in the mountains.
The farmer quested for help from neighbouring villages after the flood.
文法句型
quest + for + noun (thing requested)
用法筆記
This sense is very rare in modern English. Most contemporary speakers use 'ask for' or 'request' instead. It appears mainly in historical fiction, fantasy literature, or deliberately poetic writing.