look up

British  

verb

1. (tr) to discover (something required to be known) by resorting to a work of reference, such as a dictionary

2. (intr) to increase, as in quality or value

   things are looking up

3. to have respect (for)

   I've always wanted a girlfriend I could look up to

4. (tr) to visit or make contact with (a person)

   I'll look you up when I'm in town

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look up Idioms  

1. Search for in a book or other source, as in I told her to look up the word in the dictionary . [Late 1600s]

2. Call on or visit, as in I'm going to look up my friend in Chicago . [Mid-1800s]

3. Become better, improve, as in Business is finally looking up . [c. 1800]

4. look up to . Admire, respect, as in The students really looked up to Mr. Jones . [Early 1700s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

look up

The discourse around these celebrities shouldn’t center, for instance, on whatever message their body image might be sending to young people who look up to them.

From Salon ● Aug. 13, 2026

I watch full movies without glancing down at my phone to look up actors and read reviews and Rotten Tomatoes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

In many states, you can look up a contractor’s credentials and complaints against them in government-run databases for free.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026

“Clive was always a north star of music and talent and artistry. We’re all lucky to have his legacy to look up to.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026

I look up at Emma, expecting to see understanding or compassion.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller