noun / verb

quest

KWEST/kwest/

A long or difficult search for something valued.

The travelers continue their quest, following the map toward the distant mountain pass.

A determined diverse pair of travelers follows a worn map toward a distant mountain pass, long search.

Etymology

The underlying idea is seeking, whether in a hunt or an inquiry. Use for a knight’s adventure, especially the search for the Grail, connects that basic activity with an important, demanding pursuit.

In context

TED9:18

try defining perfectionism as a willingness to do what is difficult to achieve what is right? You see, then we can agree that failure is a good thing in our quest for perfection

We should aim for perfection -- and stop fearing failure | Jon Bowers

More examples

The team continues its quest for a championship.
He spends years traveling in quest of his missing brother.
She quests for answers in old letters and diaries.

Forms

quest · quests · quested · questing

Similar words

search: Does not necessarily suggest a difficult or highly valued goal.
pursuit: Emphasizes striving toward a goal rather than looking for something.
hunt: Often suggests an active search for a specific person or thing.