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

---

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]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

look up

With three meteor showers, a close planetary pairing, a historic Voyager 1 milestone, and the beginning of a supermoon series, November offers plenty of reasons to look up and explore the night sky.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 6, 2026

Offensive linemen said they often are unaware which running back is in the game — until they look up to see who is celebrating in the end zone.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026

You’d be wise to buy them in small 1-ounce packs over the 5-pound variety on offer at Costco, otherwise you’ll look up and they’ll be gone.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

While he has not raised concerns about his body, she fears he could look up to AI characters online.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

Zeke did know a few things, and there was other stuff you could look up in history books—which is why he dreaded it coming up in school.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---