look

[ look ]

verb (used without object)

1. to turn one's eyes toward something or in some direction in order to see:

   He looked toward the western horizon and saw the returning planes.

2. to glance or gaze in a manner specified:

   to look questioningly at a person.

3. to use one's sight or vision in seeking, searching, examining, watching, etc.:

   to look through the papers.

4. to tend, as in bearing or significance:

   Conditions look toward war.

5. to appear or seem to the eye as specified:

   to look pale.

6. to appear or seem to the mind:

   The case looks promising.

7. to direct attention or consideration:

   to look at the facts.

8. to have an outlook or afford a view:

   The window looks upon the street.

9. to face or front:

   The house looks to the east.

verb (used with object)

1. to give (someone) a look:

   He looked me straight in the eye.

2. to have an appearance appropriate to or befitting (something):

   She looked her age.

3. to appear to be; look like:

   He looked a perfect fool, coming to the party a day late.

4. to express or suggest by looks:

   to look one's annoyance at a person.

5. Archaic. to bring, put, etc., by looks.

noun

1. the act of looking:

   a look of inquiry.

2. a visual search or examination.

   Synonyms: glance, gaze

3. the way in which a person or thing appears to the eye or to the mind; aspect:

   He has the look of an honest man.

   The tablecloth has a cheap look.

   Synonyms: air, appearance

4. an expressive glance:

   to give someone a sharp look.

5. looks,
   1. general aspect; appearance:

      to like the looks of a place.

   2. attractive, pleasing appearance.

verb phrase

1. 1. Also look into. to look briefly inside of:

      Look in the jar and tell me if any cookies are left.

   2. Also look in on. to visit (a person, place, etc.) briefly:

      I'll look in some day next week.

2. to inquire into; investigate; examine:

   The auditors are looking into the records to find the cause of the discrepancy.

3. to examine, especially briefly:

   Will you please look over my report before I submit it?

4. 1. to direct the eyes upward; raise one's glance:

      The other guests looked up as she entered the room.

   2. to become better or more prosperous; improve:

      Business is looking up.

   3. to search for, as an item of information, in a reference book or the like:

      Look up the answer in the encyclopedia.

   4. to seek out, especially to visit:

      to look up an old friend.

   5. Nautical. (of a sailing ship) to head more nearly in the direction of its destination after a favoring change of wind.
5. to regard with admiration or respect; esteem:

   A boy needs a father he can look up to.

6. 1. to look to the outside, as from a window or a place of observation:

      From her office window, she could look out over the bustling city.

   2. to be vigilant or on guard:

      Look out, there are dangers ahead.

   3. to afford a view; face:

      The room looks out on the garden.

7. to regard with scorn or disdain; have contempt for:

   They look down on all foreigners.

8. 1. to follow with the eye, as someone or something moving away:

      She looked after him as he walked toward the train station.

   2. to pay attention to; concern oneself with:

      to look after one's own interests.

   3. to take care of; minister to:

      to look after a child.

9. 1. to seek; search for:

      Columbus was looking for a shorter route to India when he discovered America.

   2. to anticipate; expect:

      I'll be looking for you at the reception.

10. 1. to direct one's glance or gaze to:

       If you look to your left, you can see the Empire State Building.

    2. to pay attention to:

       Look to your own affairs and stay out of mine.

    3. to direct one's expectations or hopes to:

       We look to the day when world peace will be a reality.

    4. to regard with expectation and anticipation:

       We look to the future and greater advances in science and technology.

11. to review past events; return in thought:

    When I look back on our school days, it seems as if they were a century ago.

12. to take watchful care of; be concerned about:

    He has to look out for his health.

13. 1. to be a spectator; watch:

       The crowd looked on at the street brawl.

    2. to consider; regard:

       They look upon gambling as sinful.

look

/ lʊk /

verb

1. often foll by at to direct the eyes (towards)

   to look at the sea

2. often foll by at to direct one's attention (towards)

   let's look at the circumstances

3. often foll by to to turn one's interests or expectations (towards)

   to look to the future

4. copula to give the impression of being by appearance to the eye or mind; seem

   that looks interesting

5. to face in a particular direction

   the house looks north

6. to expect, hope, or plan (to do something)

   I look to hear from you soon

   he's looking to get rich

7. foll by for
   1. to search or seek

      I looked for you everywhere

   2. to cherish the expectation (of); hope (for)

      I look for success

8. foll by to
   1. to be mindful (of)

      to look to the promise one has made

   2. to have recourse (to)

      look to your swords, men!

9. to be a pointer or sign

   these early inventions looked towards the development of industry

10. foll by into to carry out an investigation

    to look into a mystery

11. tr to direct a look at (someone) in a specified way

    she looked her rival up and down

12. tr to accord in appearance with (something)

    to look one's age

13. look alive or look lively
    hurry up; get busy
14. look daggers
    See dagger
15. look here
    an expression used to attract someone's attention, add emphasis to a statement, etc
16. look sharp or look smart
    imperative to hurry up; make haste
17. not look at
    to refuse to consider

    they won't even look at my offer of £5000

18. not much to look at
    unattractive; plain

noun

1. the act or an instance of looking

   a look of despair

2. a view or sight (of something)

   let's have a look

3. often plural appearance to the eye or mind; aspect

   I don't like the looks of this place

   the look of innocence

4. style; fashion

   the new look for summer

sentence connector

1. an expression demanding attention or showing annoyance, determination, etc

   look, I've had enough of this

Usage

See See at like 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of look¹

First recorded before 900; (verb) Middle English lōk(i)en, Old English lōcian; cognate with Middle Dutch lœken, akin to dialectal German lugen “to look out”; (noun) Middle English loke “act of looking, glance, countenance,” derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of look¹

Old English lōcian; related to Middle Dutch læken, Old High German luogen to look out

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. look daggers, to look at someone with a furious, menacing expression:

   I could see my partner looking daggers at me.

2. look down one's nose at, to regard with an overbearing attitude of superiority, disdain, or censure:

   The more advanced students really looked down their noses at the beginners.

3. look forward to, to anticipate with eagerness or pleasure:

   I always look forward to your visits.

4. look sharp,
   1. to be alert and quick:

      If you want to get ahead, you must look sharp.

   2. Also British, look slippy. to hurry:

      You'd better look sharp! It's getting late.

5. if looks could kill. if looks could kill.

More idioms and phrases containing look

• (look on the) bright side
• dirty look
• make someone look good
• take a look at
• things are looking up

Synonym Study

See watch. See seem.

Example Sentences

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.

From BBC

They should look to more long-term master leasing of apartment buildings and hotels for supportive housing.

From Los Angeles Times

Just look at the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.

From Salon

Look at the withering commentary from Bernie Sanders: “It’s not just Kamala,” he said.

From Salon

"Getting back to skiing without pain has been an incredible journey," said Vonn who may look to target a place on the US team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

From BBC

Related Words

• attention
• eye
• glance
• glimpse
• peek
• review
• stare
• view