look
[ loo k ]
/ lʊk /
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.
Idioms for look
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.
- 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.
look forward to,
to anticipate with eagerness or pleasure: I always look forward to your visits.
look sharp,
Origin of look
before 900; (v.) 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 v.
SYNONYMS FOR look
Words nearby look
Example sentences from the Web for looking
Such is her burgeoning popularity Toomey is looking to employ more instructors to lead her highly personalized exercise classes.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze |Lizzie Crocker |January 9, 2015 |DAILY BEASTSo looking at that and that at that time I was also pursuing my career—so there was something here.
“I like looking at how people put their outfits together here like PJs,” he said.
So I was looking back at the years, and that really popped out at me, those three years.
Sometimes, a tech glitch means you are prevented from looking at other users.
You know, looking after the stores and all that sort of thing.
The War-Workers |E.M. DelafieldWhile looking out of that top-floor window one day I noticed a cat on a window-ledge of the house across the street.
Outwitting the Hun |Pat O'BrienLooking back, when he reached the house, he saw that Masten was still standing beside his horse.
The Range Boss |Charles Alden SeltzerMeantime, the leader, to whom thousands were looking up, was miserable and alone.
The Eternal City |Hall CaineAnd Dick turned again and hurried to the new house, but David stood, holding the handle of his cart and looking after him.
The Doers |William John Hopkins
British Dictionary definitions for looking
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; seem
that looks interesting
to face in a particular direction
the 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 sign
these early inventions looked towards the development of industry
(foll by into)
to carry out an investigation
to look into a mystery
(tr)
to direct a look at (someone) in a specified way
she 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 consider
they won't even look at my offer of £5000
not much to look at
unattractive; plain
noun
the act or an instance of looking
a look of despair
a view or sight (of something)
let's have a look
(often plural)
appearance to the eye or mind; aspect
the look of innocence; I don't like the looks of this place
style; fashion
the new look for summer
sentence connector
an expression demanding attention or showing annoyance, determination, etc
look, I've had enough of this
See also
look after,
look back,
look down,
look forward to,
look-in,
look on,
lookout,
look over,
look through,
look up
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
Idioms and Phrases with looking (1 of 2)
looking
see look (looking) to; look (looking) up.
Idioms and Phrases with looking (2 of 2)
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