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

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

He reversed into a post while on holiday in Greece, which prompted him to look up the symptoms of ADHD.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

In another case, the audit found that a high-ranking law enforcement officer misused confidential databases to look up family members and other employees without legitimate business purposes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

The Department of Homeland Security has been running an online detainee locator since 2010 where anyone can look up a person being held in immigration detention.

From Slate ● Sep. 24, 2026

I look up at him, and I must look half out of my mind.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

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