lookout

¹ American  

[look-out] / ˈlʊkˌaʊt /

noun

1. the act of looking out or keeping watch.

2. a watch kept, as for something that may happen.

3. a person or group keeping a watch.

   Synonyms:

   guard, patrol, sentry, sentinel

4. a station or place from which a watch is kept.

5. an object of care or concern.

   That's not my lookout.

6. tailpiece.

7. Chiefly British. view; prospect; outlook.

   The business lookout is far from optimistic.

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Lookout ² American  

[look-out] / ˈlʊkˌaʊt /

noun

1. Cape Lookout, a sandy reef in the Outer Banks, off eastern North Carolina, southwest of Cape Hatteras: known for its lighthouse.

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lookout British  

/ ˈlʊkˌaʊt /

noun

1. the act of keeping watch against danger, etc

2. a person or persons instructed or employed to keep such a watch, esp on a ship

3. a strategic point from which a watch is kept

4. informal worry or concern

   that's his lookout

5. outlook, chances, or view

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verb

1. to heed one's behaviour; be careful

   look out for the children's health

2. to be on the watch

   look out for my mother at the station

3. (tr) to search for and find

   I'll look out some curtains for your new house

4. to face in a particular direction

   the house looks out over the moor

lookout Idioms  

1. see keep an eye out for (sharp lookout); on the lookout. Also see entries beginning with look out.

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Etymology

Origin of lookout

First recorded in 1690–1700; noun use of verb phrase look out

Example Sentences

Be on the lookout for anything that seems too good to be true.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

Despite the misgivings of the scientific community, longevity enthusiasts like Scott and Chitwood are always on the lookout for the next therapy to try.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Meanwhile, locals are considering taking it in turns to keep a lookout in a bid to catch the fly-tipper in the act.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

The selloff has investors on edge, and on the lookout for signs it will force big firms to unload their holdings—triggering further declines in digital-coin prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

Although we’ve been instructed to be on the lookout for items that may benefit the greater good of the collective, I’ve been more interested in a wider variety of things.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Related Words

• sentry