look on

verb

1. (adverb) to be a spectator at an event or incident

2. Also: look upon. (preposition) to consider or regard

   she looked on the whole affair as a joke

   he looks on his mother-in-law with disapproval

Other Word Forms

• looker-on noun

Idioms and Phrases

Also, look upon . Regard in a certain way, as in I looked on him as a second father , or We looked upon her as a worthy successor . [Early 1600s]

Be a spectator, watch, as in She rode the horse around the ring as her parents looked on . [Late 1500s]

Also, look on with . Read from someone's book, paper, or music at the same time, as in I forgot my score; can I look on with you? [Late 1800s]

Related Words

• note 
• notice 
• observe 
• respect 
• see 
• view 
• watch 
• witness