look

[loo k]

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR look 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.

Idioms

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

before 900; (v.) 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 v.

Synonyms for look

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR look ON THESAURUS.COM

1. See watch. 6. See seem. 16. gaze, glance. 17. appearance, air.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for look

stare, peek, glimpse, eye, review, attention, glance, view, fashion, presence, face, demeanor, manner, expression, notice, consider, read, study, watch, see

Examples from the Web for look

Contemporary Examples of look

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
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
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
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
Fumbleroooohski…'” (39) “'Look at me, ungh, splitting my own seam, oohh… going deep.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits
Emily Shire
January 7, 2015

Historical Examples of look

She's one of the build that aren't so big as they look, nor yet so small as they look.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
One need not look so high as the old-fashioned stuccoed ceiling.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Look at him now over there, the way he goes around butting into strangers.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
You began to look bad as soon as you left off your breakfast.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
"He will look for me, and seem bewildered, as if something were lost," replied Philothea.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child

British Dictionary definitions for look

look

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

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

Word Origin and History for look

Old English locian "use the eyes for seeing, gaze, look, behold, spy," from West Germanic *lokjan (cf. Old Saxon lokon "see, look, spy," Middle Dutch loeken "to look," Old High German luogen, German dialectal lugen "to look out"), of unknown origin, perhaps cognate with Breton lagud "eye." In Old English, usually with on; the use of at began 14c. Meaning "seek, search out" is c.1300; meaning "to have a certain appearance" is from c.1400. Of objects, "to face in a certain direction," late 14c.

Look after "take care of" is from late 14c., earlier "to seek" (c.1300), "to look toward" (c.1200). Look into "investigate" is from 1580s; look up "research in books or papers" is from 1690s. To look down upon in the figurative sense is from 1711; to look down one's nose is from 1921. To look forward "anticipate" is c.1600; meaning "anticipate with pleasure" is mid-19c. To not look back "make no pauses" is colloquial, first attested 1893. In look sharp (1711) sharp originally was an adverb, "sharply."

c.1200, "act or action of looking," from look (v.). Meaning "appearance of a person" is from late 14c. Expression if looks could kill ... attested by 1827 (if looks could bite is attested from 1747).

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