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]

Example Sentences

Certainly looking on and rooting from home will be his younger brother, Ryu, a sixth-grader with a future in football and academics.

From Los Angeles Times

If Norris was looking on the bright side, the same was not true at Ferrari, who had another difficult session in an increasingly difficult season.

From BBC

She's looking on proudly as her son rehearses.

From BBC

Even after Hume took the wickets of Sam Curran and Salt in the 15th over, England always looked on course for victory with Jamie Overton ultimately providing the winning runs with 20 deliveries to spare.

From BBC

He looked on course to become the second Hampshire batter to score a century on Finals Day following Lynn's heroics in the semi-final win over Northants but was bowled by Gregory while backing away.

From BBC

Related Words

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