look

[ look ]

/ lʊk /

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See synonyms for: look / looked / looking / looks on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to turn one's eyes toward something or in some direction in order to see: He looked toward the western horizon and saw the returning planes.

to glance or gaze in a manner specified: to look questioningly at a person.

to use one's sight or vision in seeking, searching, examining, watching, etc.: to look through the papers.

to tend, as in bearing or significance: Conditions look toward war.

to appear or seem to the eye as specified: to look pale.

to appear or seem to the mind: The case looks promising.

to direct attention or consideration: to look at the facts.

to have an outlook or afford a view: The window looks upon the street.

to face or front: The house looks to the east.

verb (used with object)

to give (someone) a look: He looked me straight in the eye.

to have an appearance appropriate to or befitting (something): She looked her age.

to appear to be; look like: He looked a perfect fool, coming to the party a day late.

to express or suggest by looks: to look one's annoyance at a person.

Archaic. to bring, put, etc., by looks.

noun

the act of looking: a look of inquiry.

a visual search or examination.

the way in which a person or thing appears to the eye or to the mind; aspect: He has the look of an honest man.The tablecloth has a cheap look.

an expressive glance: to give someone a sharp look.

looks,

general aspect; appearance: to like the looks of a place.
attractive, pleasing appearance.

Verb Phrases

look after,

to follow with the eye, as someone or something moving away: She looked after him as he walked toward the train station.
to pay attention to; concern oneself with: to look after one's own interests.
to take care of; minister to: to look after a child.

look back, to review past events; return in thought: When I look back on our school days, it seems as if they were a century ago.

look down on / upon to regard with scorn or disdain; have contempt for: They look down on all foreigners.

look for,

to seek; search for: Columbus was looking for a shorter route to India when he discovered America.
to anticipate; expect: I'll be looking for you at the reception.

look in,

Also look into. to look briefly inside of: Look in the jar and tell me if any cookies are left.
Also look in on. to visit (a person, place, etc.) briefly: I'll look in some day next week.

look into, to inquire into; investigate; examine: The auditors are looking into the records to find the cause of the discrepancy.

look on / upon

to be a spectator; watch: The crowd looked on at the street brawl.
to consider; regard: They look upon gambling as sinful.

look out,

to look to the outside, as from a window or a place of observation: From her office window, she could look out over the bustling city.
to be vigilant or on guard: Look out, there are dangers ahead.
to afford a view; face: The room looks out on the garden.

look out for, to take watchful care of; be concerned about: He has to look out for his health.

look over, to examine, especially briefly: Will you please look over my report before I submit it?

look to,

to direct one's glance or gaze to: If you look to your left, you can see the Empire State Building.
to pay attention to: Look to your own affairs and stay out of mine.
to direct one's expectations or hopes to: We look to the day when world peace will be a reality.
to regard with expectation and anticipation: We look to the future and greater advances in science and technology.

look up,

to direct the eyes upward; raise one's glance: The other guests looked up as she entered the room.
to become better or more prosperous; improve: Business is looking up.
to search for, as an item of information, in a reference book or the like: Look up the answer in the encyclopedia.
to seek out, especially to visit: to look up an old friend.
Nautical. (of a sailing ship) to head more nearly in the direction of its destination after a favoring change of wind.

look up to, to regard with admiration or respect; esteem: A boy needs a father he can look up to.

OTHER WORDS FOR look

16 gaze, glance.

17 appearance, air.

See synonyms for look on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about look

if looks could kill. See entry at if looks could kill.

look daggers, to look at someone with a furious, menacing expression: I could see my partner looking daggers at me.

look down one's nose at, to regard with an overbearing attitude of superiority, disdain, or censure: The more advanced students really looked down their noses at the beginners.

look forward to, to anticipate with eagerness or pleasure: I always look forward to your visits.

look sharp,

to be alert and quick: If you want to get ahead, you must look sharp.
Also British, look slippy. to hurry: You'd better look sharp! It's getting late.

Origin of look

First recorded before 900; (verb) Middle English lōk(i)en, Old English lōcian; cognate with Middle Dutch lœken, akin to dialectal German lugen “to look out”; (noun) Middle English loke “act of looking, glance, countenance,” derivative of the verb

synonym study for look

1. See watch. 6. See seem.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use look in a sentence

So even though neither was promoted, each got a close look from pitching coordinator Brad Holman, the front office and other minor league coaches.
Nationals protect Steven Fuentes, Yasel Antuna and Joan Adon from Rule 5 draft|Jesse Dougherty|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Nine bucks gets you a faintly sweet pineapple milk bun that’s named for its look but is free of fruit and sized for two to share.
At Moon Rabbit, chef Kevin Tien lures fans to the Wharf|Tom Sietsema|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Readers also hoping for the promised insight into Glenn’s personality and a look at who he was behind the public image are unlikely to find it in this book.
Another look at John Glenn through a heroic lens|Francis French|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
The branding genius of K-pop band BTSLike other boy bands, BTS has the looks, the pipes and the style, but it was the group’s message that changed Murdock’s mind.
For fans of BTS, the only thing better than the group is each other|Marian Liu|November 20, 2020|Washington Post

That look lasted for just one season because the NFL instituted a rule restricting teams to just one helmet shell per season.
Washington Football Team will wear throwback uniforms for first time since name change|Jake Russell|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Have you looked around the American Dental Association website for an explanation of how fluoridation actually works?
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
“Jeffrey wanted me to tell you that you looked so pretty,” the female voice said into my disbelieving ear.
I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003|Vicky Ward|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And so he looked at her, smiled, and offered a polite “Is everything okay?”
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They became so brown and shriveled that they looked like walking beef jerky with New York accents.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yet only 24 percent of the 3,892 femicides the group identified in 2012 and 2013 were looked at by authorities.
Why Mexicans Are Enraged by Obama’s Big Tuesday Meeting|Ruben Navarrette Jr.|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Davy looked around and saw an old man coming toward them across the lawn.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
Liszt looked at it, and to her fright and dismay cried out in a fit of impatience, "No, I won't hear it!"
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
She looked so sweet when she said it, standing and smiling there in the middle of the floor, the door-way making a frame for her.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Joe looked at her with a smile, his face still solemn and serious for all its youth and the fires of new-lit hope behind his eyes.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
He looked strangely out of place in the dusty combat uniform.
Sense of Obligation|Henry Maxwell Dempsey (AKA Harry Harrison)

British Dictionary definitions for look

look

/ (lʊk) /

verb (mainly intr)

(often foll by at) to direct the eyes (towards)to look at the sea

(often foll by at) to direct one's attention (towards)let's look at the circumstances

(often foll by to) to turn one's interests or expectations (towards)to look to the future

(copula) to give the impression of being by appearance to the eye or mind; seemthat looks interesting

to face in a particular directionthe house looks north

to expect, hope, or plan (to do something)I look to hear from you soon; he's looking to get rich

(foll by for)

to search or seekI looked for you everywhere
to cherish the expectation (of); hope (for)I look for success

(foll by to)

to be mindful (of)to look to the promise one has made
to have recourse (to)look to your swords, men!

to be a pointer or signthese early inventions looked towards the development of industry

(foll by into) to carry out an investigationto look into a mystery

(tr) to direct a look at (someone) in a specified wayshe looked her rival up and down

(tr) to accord in appearance with (something)to look one's age

look alive or look lively hurry up; get busy

look daggers See dagger (def. 4)

look here an expression used to attract someone's attention, add emphasis to a statement, etc

look sharp or look smart (imperative) to hurry up; make haste

not look at to refuse to considerthey won't even look at my offer of £5000

not much to look at unattractive; plain

noun

the act or an instance of lookinga look of despair

a view or sight (of something)let's have a look

(often plural) appearance to the eye or mind; aspectthe look of innocence; I don't like the looks of this place

style; fashionthe new look for summer

sentence connector

an expression demanding attention or showing annoyance, determination, etclook, I've had enough of this

Word Origin for look

Old English lōcian; related to Middle Dutch læken, Old High German luogen to look out

usage for look

See at like 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with look

look

In addition to the idioms beginning with look

look after
look a gift horse in the mouth
look alive
look as if butter wouldn't melt
look askance
look back
look before you leap
look black
look blank
look daggers
look down on
look for
look forward to
look in on
look into
look like
look like a million dollars
look like death
look like something the cat dragged in
look like the cat that ate the canary
look on
look on the bright side
look out
look out for
look over
look sharp
look sideways at
look someone in the face
look the other way
look through rose-colored glasses
look to
look to one's laurels
look up
look up and down
look up to
look who's talking

also see:

(look on the) bright side
dirty look
make someone look good
take a look at
things are looking up

look

OTHER WORDS FOR look

Idioms about look

Origin of look

synonym study for look

Words related to look

How to use look in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for look

Word Origin for look

usage for look

Other Idioms and Phrases with look