look

[ look ]

/ lʊk /

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See synonyms for: look / looked / looking / looks on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

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.

to glance or gaze in a manner specified: to look questioningly at a person.

to use one's sight or vision in seeking, searching, examining, watching, etc.: to look through the papers.

to tend, as in bearing or significance: Conditions look toward war.

to appear or seem to the eye as specified: to look pale.

to appear or seem to the mind: The case looks promising.

to direct attention or consideration: to look at the facts.

to have an outlook or afford a view: The window looks upon the street.

to face or front: The house looks to the east.

verb (used with object)

to give (someone) a look: He looked me straight in the eye.

to have an appearance appropriate to or befitting (something): She looked her age.

to appear to be; look like: He looked a perfect fool, coming to the party a day late.

to express or suggest by looks: to look one's annoyance at a person.

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

noun

the act of looking: a look of inquiry.

a visual search or examination.

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.

an expressive glance: to give someone a sharp look.

looks,

general aspect; appearance: to like the looks of a place.
attractive, pleasing appearance.

Verb Phrases

look after,

to follow with the eye, as someone or something moving away: She looked after him as he walked toward the train station.
to pay attention to; concern oneself with: to look after one's own interests.
to take care of; minister to: to look after a child.

look back, to review past events; return in thought: When I look back on our school days, it seems as if they were a century ago.

look down on / upon to regard with scorn or disdain; have contempt for: They look down on all foreigners.

look for,

to seek; search for: Columbus was looking for a shorter route to India when he discovered America.
to anticipate; expect: I'll be looking for you at the reception.

look in,

Also look into. to look briefly inside of:Look in the jar and tell me if any cookies are left.
Also look in on. to visit (a person, place, etc.) briefly: I'll look in some day next week.

look into, to inquire into; investigate; examine: The auditors are looking into the records to find the cause of the discrepancy.

look on / upon

to be a spectator; watch: The crowd looked on at the street brawl.
to consider; regard: They look upon gambling as sinful.

look out,

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.
to be vigilant or on guard: Look out, there are dangers ahead.
to afford a view; face: The room looks out on the garden.

look out for, to take watchful care of; be concerned about: He has to look out for his health.

look over, to examine, especially briefly: Will you please look over my report before I submit it?

look to,

to direct one's glance or gaze to: If you look to your left, you can see the Empire State Building.
to pay attention to: Look to your own affairs and stay out of mine.
to direct one's expectations or hopes to: We look to the day when world peace will be a reality.
to regard with expectation and anticipation: We look to the future and greater advances in science and technology.

look up,

to direct the eyes upward; raise one's glance: The other guests looked up as she entered the room.
to become better or more prosperous; improve: Business is looking up.
to search for, as an item of information, in a reference book or the like: Look up the answer in the encyclopedia.
to seek out, especially to visit: to look up an old friend.
Nautical. (of a sailing ship) to head more nearly in the direction of its destination after a favoring change of wind.

look up to, to regard with admiration or respect; esteem: A boy needs a father he can look up to.

OTHER WORDS FOR look

16 gaze, glance.

17 appearance, air.

See synonyms for look on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

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Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

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Idioms about look

if looks could kill. See entry at if looks could kill.

look daggers, to look at someone with a furious, menacing expression: I could see my partner looking daggers at me.

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.

look forward to, to anticipate with eagerness or pleasure: I always look forward to your visits.

look sharp,

to be alert and quick: If you want to get ahead, you must look sharp.
Also British, look slippy. to hurry: You'd better look sharp! It's getting late.

Origin of look

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

synonym study for look

1. See watch. 6. See seem.

Words nearby look

loo, looby, loof, loofah, looie, look, look after, look a gift horse in the mouth, look-alike, look alive, look as if butter wouldn't melt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use look in a sentence

Find the best weighted blanket for you and your partnerOnce you’ve settled on the right weight for you, go ahead and take a look at the blanket’s dimensions.
Best weighted blanket: Sleep like a baby with our comfy bedding picks|PopSci Commerce Team|February 12, 2021|Popular-Science
The best heated throw blankets offer washability, customizable heat, and a stylish look that will blend seamlessly with your space.
Best heated throw blanket: Bundle up with these electric blankets|PopSci Commerce Team|February 11, 2021|Popular-Science
Will Huntsberry took a closer look at the ongoing dispute between the governor and California Teachers Association in last week’s Learning Curve.
Morning Report: Vacancy Tax Déjà Vu|Voice of San Diego|February 11, 2021|Voice of San Diego
These craze-setters take note of fashion shows and celebrity looks, but they also collect data on politics, entertainment, the environment, technology, and consumer behavior.
Tech-savvy fashion forecasters already know what you’ll be wearing in two years|Rachael Zisk|February 10, 2021|Popular-Science

It’s a great, economical way to improve the look of your property.
Wood chippers to keep your property looking great|PopSci Commerce Team|February 9, 2021|Popular-Science
Have a look at this telling research from Pew on blasphemy and apostasy laws around the world.
In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
To make it work almost everything else about these shows has to seem factual which is why many look like a weird Celebrity Sims.
‘Empire’ Review: Hip-Hop Musical Chairs with an Insane Soap Opera Twist|Judnick Mayard|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They are becoming more aware of what eating disorders are and what they look like.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
So many girls are idolizing these models and wanting to look like them.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Lacey Noonan's A Gronking to Remember makes 50 Shades of Grey look like Madame Bovary in terms of its literary sophistication.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
What need to look to right or left when you are swallowing up free mile after mile of dizzying road?
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Squinty could look out, but the slats were as close together as those in a chicken coop, and the little pig could not get out.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
I was busy loading the piece when an exclamation of surprise from one of the men made me look up.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Alessandro turned a grateful look on Ramona as he translated this speech, so in unison with Indian modes of thought and feeling.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
At present, Louis was too self-absorbed by the struggles within him, to look deep into what was passing around him.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

British Dictionary definitions for look

look

/ (lʊk) /

verb (mainly intr)

(often foll by at) to direct the eyes (towards)to look at the sea

(often foll by at) to direct one's attention (towards)let's look at the circumstances

(often foll by to) to turn one's interests or expectations (towards)to look to the future

(copula) to give the impression of being by appearance to the eye or mind; seemthat looks interesting

to face in a particular directionthe house looks north

to expect, hope, or plan (to do something)I look to hear from you soon; he's looking to get rich

(foll by for)

to search or seekI looked for you everywhere
to cherish the expectation (of); hope (for)I look for success

(foll by to)

to be mindful (of)to look to the promise one has made
to have recourse (to)look to your swords, men!

to be a pointer or signthese early inventions looked towards the development of industry

(foll by into) to carry out an investigationto look into a mystery

(tr) to direct a look at (someone) in a specified wayshe looked her rival up and down

(tr) to accord in appearance with (something)to look one's age

look alive or look lively hurry up; get busy

look daggers See dagger (def. 4)

look here an expression used to attract someone's attention, add emphasis to a statement, etc

look sharp or look smart (imperative) to hurry up; make haste

not look at to refuse to considerthey won't even look at my offer of £5000

not much to look at unattractive; plain

noun

the act or an instance of lookinga look of despair

a view or sight (of something)let's have a look

(often plural) appearance to the eye or mind; aspectthe look of innocence; I don't like the looks of this place

style; fashionthe new look for summer

sentence connector

an expression demanding attention or showing annoyance, determination, etclook, I've had enough of this

Word Origin for look

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

usage for look

See at like 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with look

look

In addition to the idioms beginning with look

look after
look a gift horse in the mouth
look alive
look as if butter wouldn't melt
look askance
look back
look before you leap
look black
look blank
look daggers
look down on
look for
look forward to
look in on
look into
look like
look like a million dollars
look like death
look like something the cat dragged in
look like the cat that ate the canary
look on
look on the bright side
look out
look out for
look over
look sharp
look sideways at
look someone in the face
look the other way
look through rose-colored glasses
look to
look to one's laurels
look up
look up and down
look up to
look who's talking

also see:

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

look

OTHER WORDS FOR look

Idioms about look

Origin of look

synonym study for look

Words nearby look

Words related to look

How to use look in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for look

Word Origin for look

usage for look

Other Idioms and Phrases with look