quest

quest — noun

1. a long and determined effort to seek out or obtain something difficult — for ins

1.nounB2
Definition

a long and determined effort to seek out or obtain something difficult — for instance, a lost treasure, a scientific breakthrough, or a personal goal.

Example

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)

Common collocations
  • holy quest
  • epic quest
  • personal quest
  • spiritual quest
  • quest for knowledge
  • quest for truth
  • on a quest
Synonyms
  • 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

Grammar Patterns

quest + for + noun

quest + to-infinitive

Common Mistakes

I am on a quest for my keys.
I am looking for my keys.
'quest' implies something important or difficult that takes a long time, not a simple everyday search.
She went on a quest for the supermarket.
She went on a quest for the hidden temple.
'quest' suggests a significant or challenging goal, not routine errands.

quest — verb

Word family

  • quester
    nounC2
  • questing
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words describe trying to find or achieve something, but they differ in scope and tone. 'Search' is the most general — it works for everyday activities ('a search for the car keys') and major efforts alike, but it lacks the dramatic weight of 'quest.' 'Pursuit' emphasizes active chasing or striving ('the pursuit of happiness') and often suggests something that keeps moving away. 'Mission' focuses on a specific objective, often assigned by an organisation ('a rescue mission'), and feels more concrete and time-limited than a quest. Use 'quest' when the goal is difficult, noble, and emotionally significant — something that defines a person's journey rather than just a task. For example: 'His search for a job ended quickly' feels routine, while 'His quest for meaningful work took him across continents' suggests a life-defining search.

search ↗pursuit ↗mission ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'quest' entered English through Old French 'queste', which came from Latin 'quaerere', meaning 'to seek, to ask, or to search for'. This same Latin root also gave English the words 'question', 'query', 'acquire', and 'require'. The original Latin sense combined both 'searching' and 'asking' — which explains why English 'quest' carries both meanings, though the 'ask for' sense is now very rare.